The early colourful history tells of 600 monasteries by 1589 in Europe. However, with the Reformation, an extraordinary trust and dependence on the God's love was to become evident. In 1804 whilst in dire poverty, the Sisters eventually accepted the care and instruction of poor, female, orphan children. The necessary indults were granted in 1808 with the Sisters adding a fourth vow in respect to the orphans and education. At all times the Sisters remained committed to a life of contemplation and prayer, living fully the Gospel life.
Eventually in 1883, six Sisters from Keady and Newry in Ireland sailed to Australia in response to the desperate Catholic educational needs of a young colony.
Life in Australia
Since 1884, the Sisters involvement in Catholic Education in Australia has been varied. It has ranged from Occasional Child Care for pre-schoolers to Secondary students and counselling of university students, spanning Waverley, Richmond, Riverstone, Campbelltown and Hassall Grove in NSW, Bundoora and Mill Park in Victoria and Riverside North in Tasmania.
In continuing to honour Clare's vision, the Sisters at the 1997 Chapter, committed themselves "to explore and discern a new, daring and imaginative" way of living the charism for today's world.