Archbishop Longley attends Golden Jubilee of Sr St Pius Galligan

Sr Pius is seen on the right

Sister St Pius Galligan, SSHJM, a Sister of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (also known as the Chigwell Sisters), celebrated her Golden Jubilee at Chigwell Convent in Essex, in the presence of Archbishop Bernard Longley.

Sr Pius has spent most of her religious life looking after the needs of others and supporting them in their ministry. She has been particularly dedicated in her care for priests and has looked after the clergy in St Saviour’s Parish in Lewisham, South London for many years.

She celebrated her Golden Jubilee at Chigwell with fellow jubilarians, Sr Angela Burke, Sr Ellen Burke and Sr Catherine Coughlan; and a large gathering of family and friends.

Congregational Leader Sr Elizabeth Dawson spoke warmly of the lifetime’s witness of the four jubilarians and thanked them for their 200 years of collective service as Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Archbishop Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham attended the Jubilee Mass, which was celebrated by Mgr Gordon Read representing the Bishop of Brentwood, Bishop Thomas McMahon.

Archbishop Longley said: “I have known Sr Pius (whose religious name in full is Sister Saint Pius) since I was teaching at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh and used to visit our seminarians on pastoral placements in Southwark."

He said: "Sr Pius has worked tirelessly caring for the needs of priests and religious and supporting them in their mission.

"I was delighted to join her many friends in celebrating fifty years of God’s blessings coming through the work and witness of Sr Pius Galligan. I congratulate all the Sisters celebrating their jubilees this year.”

The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary follow the rule of St Augustine whose Feast is celebrated on 25 August. It is the day when the Chigwell Sisters are solemnly professed and when they annually celebrate their Golden Jubilees of profession.