My grandniece asked me recently how did I come to be a Missionary Sister and why Missionary.It was a demanding interview. She left no question unasked. I told her “tis a long story.

At 20 years I was enjoying life, searching and restless, didn’t sleep the night before a dance in the local Leap castle – though I didn’t see any ghost there – never.

But all this was not enough for me. Something happened. Encouraged by an S.M.A. priest who was a family friend I heard some “Voice” it was like Perry Comma’s song “I love you so… I can’t understand …life began the day you took my hand… you love me too… you set my spirit free.” That was The Lord’s. I wanted to be a Missionary Sister and go to Africa and baptise everyone!

I found myself in OLA Convent, Ardfoyle, and Cork and after years of training and College I found myself in Nigeria.
I soon learnt that education was one of the basic needs for young and old. And there help them discover Christ in their culture. I spent over 40 years in Nigeria – all in education. Was I happy? Did I miss not having a family and my own home? The questions went on and on. Yes, I was happy. It wasn’t all sunshine. But I remembered “You set my spirit free.” And it made the sacrifice easier. Community is a great support as are the many positive values in African customs and culture, their hospitality, their close knit family life, love of children and above all their gratitude to God and to us Missionaries, especially past pupils.

I found it easy to pray with Nigerians. Their honesty and sincerity helped to deepen my own relationship with God. Their harmony with God and nature can easily identify with our own Irish Celtic tradition.

As OLA Sisters we are encouraged to be contemplatives in action. Our Constitutions say, “The Spirit of God leads us into prayer, into communion with Christ in faith and through prayer gives us that contemplative insight which helps us recognise God in all of life.”

We work in many African Countries and in Argentina. We have just opened our third house in Tanzania. OLA Sisters work in many fields – Education at all levels – medical, social, and parish Work.

So, come and see.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”