Sarah Mac Donald

¿Sabías que hace más de un siglo una religiosa usaba un antiguo proyector de imágenes para enseñar a sus alumnos? La madre Michael Corcoran capturó con su cámara la vida de las hermanas del Instituto de la Bienaventurada Virgen María en Irlanda y ahora la historiadora Deirdre Raftery cuenta, en entrevista para GSR, cómo ha digitalizado sus más de 500 fotografías y qué secretos revelan sobre el pasado. 

A network of researchers was founded in 2021 to promote inquiry into women religious from medieval times to the 21st century. It hopes to break down silos that have limited extensive research. 

New book outlines how Irish women religious were connected to the highest levels of power and authority in the regions within which they operated in the two centuries after the Reformation.

Prison is not the solution in every case, said Sr. Esther Murphy. "There are certain categories of prisoner that it is needed for, but it is not the place for many people, and I think we need to wake up to that fact."

In their submission to the synod as part of the Irish national synthesis of the synodal process published Aug. 16, women religious in Ireland lamented their invisibility and highlighted their sense of marginalization.

The Religious Formation Ministry Programme at Loreto House in Ireland aims to help women and men religious better serve others by serving their own needs.

At University College Dublin, Professor Deirdre Raftery has led a project to digitize a unique collection of more than 500 photos taken in 1902-1908 by Mother Michael Corcoran of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A new video series highlights hope and perseverance as sisters speak about how the Mercy charism has been a touchstone for their journeys and how they embraced new ways of living their vocations in the 21st century.

The Ursulines in Ireland face a lack of vocations and an aging profile, while the community they founded in Kenya is thriving. Changes in both countries reflect new needs, rooted in the congregation's mission.

Presentation Sr. Imelda Wickham followed a call to be with people in prison. She was a prison chaplain for 20 years. Her new book spotlights Ireland's dysfunctional criminal justice system.

Religious Sister of Charity Rita Wynne says she's the "factotum" for Dublin's Haven Centre, which serves adults who were unable to benefit from earlier education, to build their confidence and develop their skills.

Sr. Norma Pimentel urged webinar attendees to make possible Pope Francis' "revolution of tenderness" through the "miracle of kindness." She told the sisters they "will be key in weaving together with other women strong lines of unity in our communities."

As the number of remains of children found in unmarked graves on the properties of Indian residential schools in Canada rises, women religious communities and the church are grappling with their role in this history.

Presentation Sr. Anne Lyons has written a booklet on Nano Nagle, whom Pope Francis declared venerable in 2013. Lyons, tasked with promoting Nagle's sainthood cause, spoke to GSR about Nagle's courage.

The Redemptoristines' monastery in Dublin keeps receiving messages after their video for the "Jerusalema" dance challenge went viral. They did it as a prayer for the suffering world and front-line workers.

Greaney arrived in Hong Kong in 1971 and spent the next 37 years there as a missionary and nurse. After retiring to Ireland, her mission is now to a flourishing parish community for the Chinese diaspora in Dublin.

A Jan. 12 report revealed that up to 9,000 children died in Irish mother and baby homes, many of which were run by religious congregations. Two orders issued statements of apology, as did the head of the Irish church.

Good Shepherd Sr. Louise Horgan has been working for over 50 years to empower vulnerable women and children in Thailand, and Loreto Sr. Patricia Murray has been recognized for her work in peace, reconciliation and development.

"Our vision is for an Ireland where homelessness and the trauma caused by homelessness is eradicated from our society," says Daughter of Wisdom Sr. Jean Quinn, founder of Sophia Housing.

President Michael Higgins led tributes from all sectors of Irish society to Dominican Sr. Margaret MacCurtain, who died in Dublin on Oct. 5.