The Religious Sisters of Charity, also known as the Irish Sisters of Charity, is a Roman Catholic religious institute founded by Mary Aikenhead in Ireland in 1815. From 2 Corinthians 5:14, its motto, in English, is "The love Christ urges us on." The headquarters of the Religious Sisters of Charity is at Harold's Cross in Dublin, and it has locations in Ireland, England, Scotland, Nigeria, Zambia, Venezuela, and the United States. Although founded by members of the same institute, the Religious Sisters of Australia has since become an independent and distinct Catholic congregation. Mary Frances Aikenhead opened the institute's first convent in Dublin and, less than twenty years later, the institute set up Saint Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, the first hospital staffed by nuns in the English-speaking world. In Ireland and Scotland, the Religious Sisters of Charity operates as a registered charity. Five members of the Religious Sisters of Charity arrived in Australia in 1838, the first religious women to set foot on the continent, and opened a convent in Parramatta and, later, a hospital, a school and a college. That congregation has operated independently since 1842. The Sisters pioneered the modern hospice movement when they opened a hospice in Dublin in 1879, and they operate a heritage center on the grounds of Our Lady's Hospice. In 1892, Agnes Bernard, of the Sisters of Charity, established a convent and woolen mill in Foxford in County Mayo, which continues to be an important employer to the region. The Sisters of Charity were one of a few Roman Catholic organizations to run what was known as the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, which were also known as the Magdaline Asylums, institutions of confinement for "fallen women" in the 18th to early 20th centuries.
Recommended Resources
Mary Aikenhead Heritage Centre
Mary Aikenhead is the foundress of the Religious Sisters of Charity, and the exhibitions at the Heritage Centre in Dublin, Ireland portray the history of the Catholic religious congregation and the life of its founder through audio-visual scenes. A history of the congregation is posted here, including significant dates. Its location, opening times, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.rscmaheritage.com/
The site features a detailed biography of the life of Mary Aikenhead, the founder of the Religious Sisters of Charity, as well as several of her writings, a history of the founding of the institute, a gallery of photographs, video, and an account of its ministries and missions, including its anti human trafficking efforts, ecological programs, policy information, and contacts. Its locations and focus areas are included.
http://www.rsccaritas.ie/
Religious Sisters of Charity, English/Scottish Province
When the religious institute was in Ireland by Mary Aikenhead, its work was constrained to Ireland for the first five years. When the sisters first came to England in 1840, they suffered from ill health and financial difficulties, finally returning to Ireland in 1848. By 1890, the sisters were ready to take on other mission fields, including England and Scotland, and its work in this province is highlighted here.
http://religioussistersofcharityeng-scot.org/
Religious Sisters of Charity, Ireland
In 1815, Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity. The Religious Sisters grew and expanded in Ireland during the 1820s and 1830s, then to Australia in 1838, its work including establishing schools, hospitals and orphanages, as well as caring for the poor and sick, visiting people in prison. Its history is told here, along with vocational and volunteer opportunities, prayer requests, and contacts.
http://religioussistersofcharity.ie/
Sisters of Charity of Australia
Although operating independently since 1842, the Sisters of Charity of Australia has its roots in Ireland, and the Catholic religious institute that was founded by Mary Aikenhead. In 1838, five sisters volunteered to travel to Australia in order to assist female convicts who had been sent to the Australian penal colonies, and they became the founders of the Sisters of Charity of Australia.
http://www.sistersofcharity.org.au/
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy is a visionary and social innovator, as well as a member of the congregation of Religious Sisters of Charity, originally known as the Irish Sisters of Charity. Her story of growing up in Lispole is told here, along with her awards, meditations, a gallery of photographs, a schedule of events and contacts. A shopping area allows for the online purchase of her books and CDs.
http://www.srstan.ie/
