It is the month of October 1953. A small of group of religious sisters arrive from London to set up a community in Dublin. Inspired by the vision of their Foundress, Blessed Marie Therese de Soubiran, their project for this new foundation was twofold: to create a hostel for young working girls and to open a chapel for perpetual Eucharistic adoration. Within a year, the hostel opened its doors to young girls from the four corners of Ireland and from abroad. It could accommodate over 100 residents. For many of the Irish sisters, past and present, the hostel in Lower Mount Street played an important part in the story of our vocation. Many of us found a temporary home there while others were regular members of groups who came there for day or night adoration.
The two aspects of the founding vision were realized and flourished for the next 47 years, touching the lives of thousands of young girls on the threshold of their entry into the world of work and of people of all ages who regularly frequented the chapel, drawn by the perpetual presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
As the 70th anniversary of the first foundation of the Congregation of Marie Auxiliatrice in Ireland approached, we felt that a celebration was called for.
This took place on 21st October 2023 in the parish of Our Lady of Victories, Sallynoggin/Glenageary. The Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by the Parish Priest with three concelebrants who have known the Sisters since our beginnings in Dublin. One of these had been chaplain to the community for several years and it was he who gave the homily, sharing memories of a very positive experience of collaboration with the sisters, his appreciation of their openess, friendship and understanding of his principal ministry as director of a residential home for adolescent boys. He underlined what he saw as the heart of our charism; a spirit of simplicity, ability to relate to people where they were, putting the needs of others first, all of this flowing from a deep life of prayer.
After the Mass, we were joined by parishioners, friends, co workers and family for refreshments in a beautifully decorated community centre, everything prepared by parish volunteers.
The celebration was marked by an atmosphere of joy, thanksgiving and warmth as some of those present described it.
We ourselves felt that we had witnessed what a synodal Church might look like: priests, lay people, sisters gathered together around the Eucharist, welcoming to all, serving the community with their particular gifts, walking and working together to build up the Church of God here and now.
Sisters of Marie Auxiliatrice