120 YEARS OF THE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY
It is 120 years today since the first wave of Sisters of the Little Company of Mary sailed into Sydney harbour on the SS Liguria. No doubt the long voyage (from Naples) was made more comfortable for the six founding Sisters in being accompanied by like-minded members of other religious congregations and Australia’s first Cardinal, Patrick Francis Moran.
Unlikely, though, that these Little Company of Mary pioneers from 1885 held any conception of the legacy they were about to create – one of enduring care for the physical and spiritual health of so many Australians. Firstly on the streets of Sydney and the rudimentary beginnings of home nursing, latterly and currently in the stewardship of some of Australia’s best-known and much-loved (Calvary and Bethlehem) hospitals and the national LCM Health and Aged Care Ministry.
The Little Company of Mary was founded by (the now Venerable) 29 year-old Mary Potter in England in 1877, with a simple, straightforward mission: to pray and care for those who are sick, dying and in need. Mary Potter, and those who subsequently have identified with her vision, felt called to live as companions of Mary, standing in spirit with her on Calvary while she watched over her dying son.
Only two years into her ministry, Mary Potter herself was afflicted with serious illness and consequent infections, which brought her both close to death but also to a heightened understanding of dying. As a result, the charism of the Order was enhanced with a specific emphasis on Prayer for the Dying.
From being personally farewelled and commissioned in Naples by Mother Mary Potter, within four days of their arrival in the colony of New South Wales, the Sisters were serving the poor, the sick and the suffering of Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Potts Point. 120 years later, the Little Company of Mary provides hospitals and health and aged-care services and facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Wagga Wagga and the Hunter Valley.
A mere three years into their ministry in the antipodes, Cardinal Moran in 1888 laid the foundation stone for the Little Company of Mary’s first hospital, the Children’s Hospital of the Holy Child, later renamed Lewisham Hospital. The complex also doubled as a novitiate for the Sisters, who already and for some time to come were fondly known as the Blue Nuns. A century later, with their expertise and experience applied in numerous other hospitals and services across the nation, the Little Company of Mary now is involved as well in Refugee Ministry
Sr Jennifer Barrow, Province Leader in Australia of the Little Company of Mary, said in a letter this week to all members of the congregation that “Mary Potter’s own story and the legacy she handed us we are proud to maintain to this day.
“Although we do different things today in our various ministries across Australia, the challenges certainly are no less daunting than 120 years ago”.
Sr Jennifer referred to this milestone as a most significant commemorative event, where one was able to remember the history and story of commitment of all those who have journeyed with the congregation of the Little Company of Mary: “120 years is surely a time to celebrate and to give thanks for what has been,” Sr Jennifer concluded.
www.lcm.org.au 4NOV2005