Sisters of Mercy (RSM)
At the request of the bishop of Mafeikeng, Dr Anthony Gaughran, the Irish Sisters of Mercy came to South Africa to establish a convent. Mother Superior Teresa Cowley RRC led a group from the Convent of Mercy in Strabane, Ireland. The five nuns who traveled to Mafeikeng during October 1897 were: (1) Mother Teresa Cowley RRC (former Superior of Strabane, who was to be the Superior of the group); (2) Mother Magdalen Dunne (Bursar at Strabane); (3) Mother Stanislaus Gallagher (Novice Mistress at Strabane); (4) Sister M. Evangelist McGlynn (Community Nurse) and (5) Sister M. Gonzaga McDonagh, the youngest of the group, who was a gifted linguist and musician.
During the Boer War, St. Joseph's Convent School was requisitioned to serve as a hospital and the eight nuns would function as nurses for the military. During the siege of Mafeikeng, the army built a trench 50 feet long, 5-1/2 feet wide roofed with corrugated iron on which were heaped sand bags and clay. This would be home to the sisters for the 218 days during the siege of Mafeking. Refusing evacuation, they would live in a bomb shelter for duration of the siege. In addition to the RRC, Mother Cowley received the Queen's South Africa Medal. Once the war ended, the nuns returned to the building schools and educating children.
Nuns and St. Joseph's Convent Damaged by Shellfire and Anglican Sister Henrietta Stockdale CSM
At the request of the bishop of Mafeikeng, Dr Anthony Gaughran, the Irish Sisters of Mercy came to South Africa to establish a convent. Mother Superior Teresa Cowley RRC led a group from the Convent of Mercy in Strabane, Ireland. The five nuns who traveled to Mafeikeng during October 1897 were: (1) Mother Teresa Cowley RRC (former Superior of Strabane, who was to be the Superior of the group); (2) Mother Magdalen Dunne (Bursar at Strabane); (3) Mother Stanislaus Gallagher (Novice Mistress at Strabane); (4) Sister M. Evangelist McGlynn (Community Nurse) and (5) Sister M. Gonzaga McDonagh, the youngest of the group, who was a gifted linguist and musician.
During the Boer War, St. Joseph's Convent School was requisitioned to serve as a hospital and the eight nuns would function as nurses for the military. During the siege of Mafeikeng, the army built a trench 50 feet long, 5-1/2 feet wide roofed with corrugated iron on which were heaped sand bags and clay. This would be home to the sisters for the 218 days during the siege of Mafeking. Refusing evacuation, they would live in a bomb shelter for duration of the siege. In addition to the RRC, Mother Cowley received the Queen's South Africa Medal. Once the war ended, the nuns returned to the building schools and educating children.
Nuns and St. Joseph's Convent Damaged by Shellfire and Anglican Sister Henrietta Stockdale CSM
Website Maintained by Vaudezilla