Who We Are - Religious Sisters of Charity (original) (raw)
The Religious Sisters of Charity
We are a Congregation of women religious living a vowed life supporting local communities for over 200 years through our engagement in healthcare, education, social and pastoral care and on human rights issues. We continue to provide services that meet the needs of today, including working with the poor, homeless, anti-human trafficking issues, care for our common home (universe), prisoners, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants.
Our Vows
We express our dedication and commitment primarily through our work but also how we live together as part of a community. We take four vows; the three vows that most religious orders take, chastity, poverty and obedience, and a fourth vow that is specific to our Congregation, ‘service of the poor’.
Mary Aikenhead
In 1815, Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity. She was a visionary of great faith, whose dream was to give to people who were poor, what people who had money could buy. Today, we continue to follow her dream in Ireland, England, Scotland, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, California and Australia.
Strengthened by vowed consecration, nurtured by prayer and the Eucharist, sustained by community living we bring God’s love and compassion to those who are most in need
Our History
The Religious Sisters of Charity were founded in Dublin in 1815. In the 1820’s and 1830’s the work of the Religious Sisters of Charity grew and expanded from Dublin to Cork, and to Australia in 1838.
This work included the establishment of schools, hospitals and orphanages for people in need, and the visiting of the poor, especially the sick in their homes, and those in prison. After Mary Aikenhead’s death in 1858, her vision continued to grow and spread in Ireland, England, Scotland, California, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi & Australia.
Mary Aikenhead, foundress of the Religious Sisters of Charity, was born on 19 January 1787 in Cork City, Ireland. She died on 22 July 1858 in Harold’s Cross, Dublin.
Learn More About Us
mary Aikenhead
Learn about the spirit, mission and life of our founder, Mary Aikenhead.
Community Living
Living in community is an integral part of our response to the call of God.
Congregational Structure
Learn about the leadership and congregational structure of the Religious Sisters of Charity.
Heritage Centre
Gain an insight into the life and times of Mary Aikenhead, the spirit of the Congregation, its origins and its continuing expression today.
Vocations
Living as religious sisters means living a vowed life. When we are professed as Religious Sisters of Charity, we make four vows.
We Remember
We ask you to remember in your prayers our sisters who have died recently. May they rest in peace.
May all our intentions and actions be directed to the greater Glory of God.
Mary Aikenhead, 11th August 1841