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Remembering Nano Nagle in today's world

  • Matt Moran

2018 is the tercentenary of the birth of Nano Nagle - the founder of the congregation of the Presentation Sisters in 1775 in Cork. Nano Nagle was born into a wealthy Catholic family during the Penal Laws in Ireland. As education was denied to Catholics in Ireland at the time, she was sent to Paris to be educated. As a young woman, disturbed by the suffering of the poor people around her, especially the poverty and lack of education of young people, she wondered what she could do. She decided that to respond to God she would become a nun and so she entered a convent in Europe giving up a life of privilege and comfort to help the poor and marginalised in society.

Sr Mary Deane, the current Congregational Leader of the Presentation Sisters recalls: "Nano continued to feel disturbed, and after seeking advice and following the wisdom of her heart, she realised that maybe God was calling her to return to Ireland, and so she did. Having settled in Cork city with her brother and his wife, she saw an opportunity to respond to the voice of God stirring deep in her heart and so she began in a small way with one school for the children despite the setting up of schools for Catholic children being forbidden under the Penal Laws. Other schools followed across Cork city. As we know from that small beginning, Nano's work and influence in education has spread throughout the world".

A pioneer in education in Ireland, Nano was declared venerable in the Catholic Church on 31 October 2013 by Pope Francis. Her life and her inspirational work have been the subject of several books over the years. Further information about this remarkable woman is available at http://nanonagle.org/.

Today, communities or units of Presentation Sisters exist on all continents. These units are united within the Union of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, created by papal decree on 19 July 1976. There are currently over 1,600 sisters pursuing work in education and relief of the poor in several countries including in the UK in Birmingham, Coventry, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Manchester, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. The first sisters arrived in Manchester from Clonmel in 1836. The work of Sr. Rita Lee who managed the Lalley Centre in Manchester was the subject of a BBC documentary in 2015.

The International Presentation Association was established in 1988 as a network of the various congregations of sisters. The aim of the IPA is to foster unity and to enable collaboration in the work of mission. The IPA has NGO consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council in New York.

A five-day programme of inspiration, wisdom and reflection at Nano Nagle Birthplace at Ballygriffin near Mallow in Co Cork will be held from 12 - 16 July as part of the tercentenary celebrations of her birth. Topics will include Evolutionary Awareness, Spirituality for Today, Nano's Legacy to the World, Women in Leadership, Prophetic Women from Scripture, and Faith in the 21st Century.

A very impressive line-up of experienced speakers will deliver talks and conduct reflection sessions with participants who will also have personal contemplative time during some sessions.

US based Dominican, Sr Sharon Zayac, will discuss Evolutionary Awareness - an Emerging Worldview. A writer and lecturer, she speaks on many ecological topics, but her passion is sharing the Universe Story and its implications for life and faith. Her book - Earth Spirituality: In the Catholic and Dominican Traditions - focuses on evolutionary consciousness as an emerging worldview.

Two West Cork-born Presentation Sisters, Sr Mary T O'Brien and Sr Anne O'Leary, will reflect on the life and legacy of Nano Nagle, and how an education at home and in France formed her. This session is an invitation to become more 'at home with Nano', and to understand the essence of a life of 'love poured out' for the sake of others and the whole community of life. These speakers are widely experienced in teaching and lecturing in universities in Ireland and the USA, and facilitating Scripture-based retreats and workshops.

Another Presentation Sister, Sr Bernadette Flanagan, will speak on Women and Leadership (including Nano). She will discuss the treasure trove of stories detailing women's leadership that transformed the communities they lived in, challenged the status quo, influenced the politics of their times and reformed their communities. Participants will reflect on how the witness of women spiritual leaders can continue to be a source of inspiration for one's own leadership.

Sr Bernadette has led the development of MA and doctoral studies in spirituality in Ireland. She has consulted to a wide range of organisations in Ireland and overseas on dimensions of spiritual education, spiritual care and spiritual practice in such fields as healthcare, education, relational wellbeing, aging; addiction and leadership. Author of a number of books, she is currently working on a Handbook of Spirituality in Society and the Professions. She is the first Irish President of the global Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.

Gráinne Doherty, through a mixture of input, reflection time and discussion will open up the often unknown or forgotten prophetic voice and presence of some women in Scripture and in the wider society and explore their enduring relevance for life today. Her topic will be Prophetic Women from Scripture and Beyond (incl. Nano). Gráinne lectured in theology in All Hallows College whilst working in pastoral leadership at both parish and diocesan level. Her recent book - Joy of Love: A Family Perspective - is a collection of spiritual reflections and prayers which situate the writings of Pope Francis in the reality of family experience today.

Another West Cork native, Fr Diarmuid O Murchu - a Missionary of the Sacred Heart - will discuss The Lantern of Faith in the 21st Century. This day of dialogue and reflection will review the changing consciousness of our time and the big shifts involved in how we understand and appropriate our faith today. When we are confronted by evidence that the faith in which we were brought up no longer provides an adequate explanation for the nature, meaning and purpose of our lives, what choices do we have? This inspirational session will help find some answers.

Fr Diarmuid - the author of several books - is a social psychologist most of whose working life has been in social ministry, mainly in London. He has worked as a couple's counsellor, in bereavement work, HIV/AIDS counselling, and with homeless people and refugees. As a workshop leader and group facilitator, he has worked in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, and in several African countries, facilitating programmes on adult faith development. His thoughts on faith and life are a rich combination of social psychology, theology, history, and vision as illustrated in his many books, particularly "Religious Life in the 21st Century: the Prospect of Refounding" and "The Meaning and Practice of Faith".

Sr Mary Hoare, Director of Nano Nagle Birthplace said that there is great interest in these days of reflection, and places are being booked quickly. "Accommodation at the Birthplace is limited and already booked out" she said "but there is accommodation available in the area for people from overseas or long distance away who wish to book for the 5-day programme. Many are using it as a retreat. We have a lot of interest in individual sessions".

Bookings. Each session will run from 10am - 4.30pm with lunch provided. Bookings will be accepted for individual days or for the full programme. Places are limited and advance booking is essential. Further information can be obtained by contacting 00 353 22 26411 or email secretary@nanonaglebithplace.ie, and on www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie.

Earlier events in the commemoration programme included a pilgrimage walk at Ballygriffin and Killavullen in the foothills of the Nagle Mountains, and an open-air Mass con-celebrated by Bishop William Crean of Cloyne and several local priests.

On 20 October, Professor Maurice Bric from UCD will deliver a talk "The World of Nano Nagle: The Catholic Interest in the late 18th Century Ireland" in which he will examine the Ireland in which Nano Nagle grew up and developed her mission - an Ireland of great change during which most of the Penal Laws were enforced, ignored and abolished. Booking is essential for this lecture.

The newest feature at Nano Nagle Birthplace is the refurbished Mass Gate. The gates were originally at the entrance used by people in penal times to the Mass House of Richard Nagle, grandfather of Nano, who lived at Annakissa in the now parish of Killavullen. What remained of the gate was restored recently by Noel Fitzgibbon and is now a historical feature in Nano's Garden in front of the prayer room. It is a constant reminder of the risks our ancestors took to live the faith during the penal laws.

Matt Moran is a writer on missionary activity and the author of The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On available from www.onstream.ie.


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