Venerable Nano Nagle, Foundress of the Presentation Sisters nanonagle.org. was born into a wealthy family in Ballygriffin, Ireland in 1718. Because of the Penal law system which prohibited Catholic education she was educated in France.
Disturbed by the plight of the people in Ireland she dared to begin Catholic education in Cork despite significant personal danger. She became a pioneer of Catholic education in Ireland. In 1775 she founded the Presentation Sisters and continues to inspire Presentation Sisters and Associates throughout the world. The Presentation Sisters first came to New Zealand in 1950 and opened schools in Taita, Paraparaumu and Green Island. The Sisters are now involved in a variety of ministries with poor and disadvantaged people. Nano Nagle was declared Venerable by Pope Francis on 31 October 2013 recognising her as a woman of faith, hope and heroic virtue. Nano Nagle Prayer Lord God, You raise up people from age to age To speak anew Your Word to us And to show us your ways. Such is Nano Nagle. In days when courage is needed, You give us this woman of strength to walk before us with conviction. In days of great change, You present us with a prophet whose faith is firm. As the light of her lantern brought hope into the lives made wretched by poverty and oppression, so may she inspire us to compassionate action for those in need around us. |