Sister of the Immaculata –  Sister Mikayla Grace of the Divine Maternity                                           “Jesus Autem Maria in Corde Amandum”  –  “Loving Jesus Through the Heart of Mary”

Foundress:  Mother Mary Therese  ( † Karin Ramsden, a former Nashville Dominican Sister † )

Place:  Franklin, Tasmania, Australia

Year:  2008, A.D.  (December 8)

Her Charism:  Living under the banner of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, this Sister loves as She did with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength.  She asks Mary to hide her in her Immaculate Heart and allow for her spiritual motherhood to extend to all people.  By embracing a vowed life, she imitates Jesus and lays down her own life for God and neighbor.  Through her devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and all the angels and saints, her deepest desire is for spiritual renewal through Eucharistic Adoration and Faith formation, particularly in parishes with young people.  She wants all people to see and accept Mary as their Mother and their Confidence.

Sister of Compassion –  Sister Suzette Marie of the Trinity, D.O.L.C.                                                                                                      Daughter of Our Lady of Compassion                                                                                                 “Caritas et Sacrificio”  –  “Love in Sacrifice”                                                                    †  The only New Zealand-founded women’s religious Congregation  †

Foundress:  Venerable Suzanne Aubert  (Mother Mary Joseph)

Place:  Jerusalem, New Zealand

Year:  1892 A.D.

Her Charism:  This Sister’s innovative methods and “can do” attitude challenge all to live a life of empathetic compassionate action (Te Rauhi I Runga I te Pūaroha).  She shares the pains, the cares, and the heartaches of others and stands with those who are most disadvantaged and powerless while acting to address the cause of their physical and spiritual poverty.  By befriending and supporting those on the fringes of society because of mental health issues, addiction, and homelessness, she gives them dignity, shelter, nourishment, and direction in a time of crisis.  This Sister is a storehouse of divine presence by being sensitive to all cultural values.  She follows the karanga (Call of Christ) by bringing the wairua (spirit of love and compassion) to all she serves.

Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor –  “The Brown Nurse” –  Sister Agatha Marie, O.L.N.                                                                       “For the poor and the poor only”                                                                                                                      “To Jesus through Mary”

Founders:  Reverend Timothy Edward (Ted) McGrath, MS.C.                                                                                  Servant of God, Eileen Rosaline O’Connor  (affectionately called “Little Mother”)

Place:  Coogee, Sydney, Australia

Year:  1913 A.D.

Her Charism:  In the spirit of the Good Samaritan of the Gospel, this “Brown Nurse” provides the gentle, compassionate, loving and maternal presence of Our Lady to those who suffer illness.  Additionally, she offers spiritual and corporal assistance through healthcare, advocacy, and friendship for the poor, disadvantaged sick and dying in their homes.  Her distinct spirituality is marked by Our Lady and her own willingness to bear a lifetime of pain and suffering because she loved so deeply and devotedly.  This Sister aims to give expression to God’s unconditional and liberating love in everything she does.

Kew Discalced Carmelite Nun –  Sister Marie Delphine of God’s Garden, O.C.D.                                                                                   “A beauty born of spirit and grace”                                                                                         “With zeal, I have been zealous  for the Lord God of Hosts.”

Founders:  Archbishop Daniel Mannix                                                                                                                         Mother Mary Agnes of Jesus  (Emily Stapleton)

Place:  Sydney, Australia originally; Kew, (Melbourne) Australia presently

Year:  1885 A.D. (Sydney); 1922 A.D. (Kew)

Her Charism:  This Sister has an intense thirst for an immediate and direct experience of God and lets herself be transformed by God’s grace and power into a “living sacrifice of praise” for her Beloved Jesus.  With a beauty born of the Divine Indwelling of the Holy Trinity, she is love in the heart of her Mother, the Church, and enters into Christ’s salvific role as Redeemer of mankind.  Her ardent love embraces all times, all peoples, and all places, allowing her to cooperate with God to bring about His reign on earth.  With a heart which is an oasis of prayer, this contemplative nun offers her total gift of self through prayer, silence, contemplation, and penance for others and bears witness to her friendship with God.  In her solitude, she is able to hear the small voice of God and support the welfare and apostolic fruitfulness of all who are engaged in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  With Carmelite serenity, gentleness, tolerance, refreshing humor, invigorating practicality, compassion, and ingenuity, this nun is a slice of Heaven amid Melbourne’s angry urban sprawl.  Her simplicity is freeing so she can help soothe society’s troubles and need for quietude and peace.