| Heritage - Our Story |
| Margaret Aylward - Foundress |
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Our particular heritage comes from Margaret Aylward, who founded the Congregation of the Holy Faith in Ireland in 1867. As she visited the sick poor in Dublin as a Lady of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, she became aware of a more urgent need. She founded St. Brigid's Orphanage (not a residential institution but a long-term family care system) to provide fosterage for destitute children in danger of loss of faith.
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Stained glass
image of St. Brigid |
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| Schools for the poor and assistance to families in need were also at the heart of the foundation years. Margaret was blessed to meet Fr. John Gowan, a Vincentian priest, who became her spiritual director and her life-long support and guide when his main ministry became St. Brigid's and the formation of the new congregation of the Holy Faith. |
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Holy Faith Vision
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| Margaret Aylward - artist's impression |
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In her day, Margaret Aylward responded fully and courageously to what she experienced as God's special call to her. She received from the Holy Spirit a profound appreciation of the gift of faith. Her conviction of its value filled her with an overwhelming desire to preserve that gift in herself and others.
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"And, indeed, it is a glorious thing to devote our time,
talents and energies to the preservation of the faith.”
[Orphanage Report 11:1867] |
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For Margaret and the first sisters, this charism found expression in their active and profound compassion for the poor and destitute, especially for children in danger of losing their faith. Margaret was also impelled by the deep conviction that her work for children, the provision of education, and her support of family life was also building up the fabric of society. Each Holy Faith Sister today shares Margaret's vision and ideals.
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| Our Holy Faith Emblem |
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The larger circle: |
infinity ... the earth |
| The smaller circle: |
the sun ... the light of faith |
| The wavy lines: |
our international institute ... the waters of life |
The cross
centrally placed : |
"foundation of the universe, creation's binding force" The open arm of the cross invites us to spread the word of God and indicates our openness to receive. |
The emblem, being a symbol, according to the disposition of each person
who contemplates it, also "bears meanings that await discovery". |
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| Holy Faith Foundations World-wide |
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Ireland
Trinidad
United States
New Zealand
Australia
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| [Move mouse over country names to see foundations in each place] |
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The Trinidad Story |
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| In 1947 eight sisters arrived from Ireland, at the request of Archbishop Finbar Ryan and began teaching in St. Theresa's Intermediate School in Woodbrook. In the following years, the sisters responded to God's call to answer the needs of the time and spread to Couva, Siparia, Sangre Grande [1962-1978], Penal, Matelot [1983-1998], Valencia and Diego Martin. |
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Margaret
Aylward's lamp |
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| Over the years also, we have been called to expand our ministries beyond the classroom into parish communities, the seminary, hospital ministry, catechetics, community development, retreat work, the media, social justice, work with 'street children' and others at risk, prison visitation, university campus ministry and a micro-credit banking system. |
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| The impetus behind our ministry is, and has always been, the ideal of nurturing, protecting and sharing faith - a faith that does justice as we work towards the fulfilment of the Reign of God. Some of our ministries answered the needs of a certain time; other new and challenging ministries replaced them. As Holy Faith Sisters we continually reflect on, renew and redefine the form and the quality of our presence - a presence sealed by the same Spirit which led Jesus to say of himself: |
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor." [Luke 4:18] |
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