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Drogheda :
9, shop street .
1938 .
DROGHEDA INDEPENDENT " CO. " LTD. "
of Mary
Medical Missionaries .
In Caritate Radicali et Fundati
The Society of the
Then art The God of my heart
and my portion for ever .
- St. Paul to the Ephesians , c III. v. 19

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no further appeal-justice has been done ! But how it takes
fully , but once heard and Sister's decision given , there is
performed in a day . The natives glory in having an
tribe with him to Hospital the " small boy " may vary
does God's work , for nothing so attracts the poor beaten
operation and when cured return home with an essential
native menus . Each patient brings a " small boy " of the
cook their patient's food in the Hospital kitchen and carry
the patience of the over-busy Sister who must stand through
a chief or wealthy describes himself as " small boy " : they
act as water carriers both for washing and cooking , they
very considerably in age and size , for any man who is not
a moment . It is , however , this exercise of patience which
lengthy statements of a matter which might be settled in
It needs endless patience and charity to induce these poor
surgical and as many as nine or ten operations may be
women to come to Hospital and to save the lives of the
arvest and future members of the household of the faith
justice cannot be done unless both sides state their case
f reared under , the aegis of the Mission , where they are
mbued with Catholicity from their earliest years . Alas the
impress them that it is rare for a poor pagan to die in
it would be for a European to unravel the intricacies of the
the matter in dispute to Sister . A long palayer follows , for
neglected waits . These infant souls , however , are God's
it on their heads to the ward . As a rule , the " boys "
marvellously ' simplified . for it may be imagined how difficult
founded on fear . So greatly does the charity of the Sisters
distinction . Injections are also a popular form of treatment
Sisters are often handicapped in this great work by lack of
into the bush and to drive the mother from the village .
as the unfailing exercise of peace and charity by the
their code has never conceived , all their religion being
of the Hospital depends . The matter of catering is
the utmost horror , and it is the custom to throw the infants
Hospital without asking for Baptism .
opinion arises and has to be settled jurdically , so they bring
suitable infant foods which must be obtained from Europe .
The rescuing of twins is one of the most arduous duties
work quietly and peacefully , but occasionally a difference of
Sisters . They glimpse through them a good God such as
and it is on the strength of these that the reputation
f the Sisters . The pagans regard the birth of twins with

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from observances usual to religious , i.e. , choir , enclosure .
the National Maternity Hospital , Holles Street , and after
gives to influence for good . From this and her devotion
interior life , which the Constitutions , rules and training are
husbands for training . For three years Miss Martin carried
to Our Blessed Lady grew a desire to imitate her in the
Christian girls who were given by parents or future
a full course of training took her O.M.B. certificate . Thus
beautiful mystery of the Visitation , when , bearing her
on the work of the school in Calabar , when she was relieved
lady-Miss Mary Martin . Her early years spent in a truly
etc. " the absence of these will demand a more fervent
by a qualified teacher . The greater part of this time she
Divine Son , she went to the assistance of her cousin , St.
she experienced the opportunities which a nurse's position
specially designed to promote . Full scope will be given to
come into existence through the instrumentality of a Dublin
instruction of children , but also for the protection of
prepared , in 1921 she sailed for Southern Nigeria .
a V.A.D. and , after a year's training , spent three years
and infants . To prepare herself for this work , she entered
importance , not only for the teaching and religious
Catholic atmosphere prepared her for her future work .
nursing in various War Hospitals on the Continent . ' Here
The Society of the Medical Missionaries of Mary has
teachers should be forthcoming . This work was of primary
The dress is given a religious character by a simple
found the Bishop in difficulties about his girls' schools , and
Disappointment awaited her , for on her arrival she
professional work , and for this the Society has adopted a
lived alone with the native girls , an experience which gave
assistance in the missions , especially for the care of mothers
Elizabeth .
crucifix suspended from the neck .
Uncertain of her vacation , she entered the Richmond
in vague , but adaptable to various climates or circumstances .
When Miss Martin returned to Ireland she heard from
Bishop Shanahan , O.Sp. , of the great need of medical
simple dress , designed on the style of nurses' uniform now
Hospital at the beginning of the European War in 1914 as
so volunteered to come to his assistance until qualified

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Sister Mary returned to Dublin , where , with the permission
erection of the Society . First , the Sacred Congregation of
and these proved the nucleus of the new Institute . Having
Miss Martin placed her companions in Holles Street Hospital
pagan missions had been repeatedly represented by the
propagation of the Faith . In the second place . Mr. A.
for her to return home . ' However , her ideal of establishing
AVENUE , and commenced a long and tedious search for a
actually took place in a Protestant Hospital , for the
Anostolic Visitor in Africa in 1933 . He had met Miss
Mary of the Incarnation . This interesting ceremony
Missions , and on his return he urged Miss Martin to take
at Collon . Co. South , with the application of His Eminence
Martin and was aware of her project . His first visitation
recial intent of doing maternity and child welfare work .
Religious , even to those fully qualified and engaged in
he Catholic Mission Hospital , it was not possible for Sister
house of studies at ROSEMOUNT ROOTERS TOWN
told on her constitution , and when relieved it was necessary
expressing a wish that new institutes be formed with the
Religious of the Institute . She took the name . Sister
with wonderful enthusiasm . and in some hands with a most
general nursing . But the urgent necessity of this work on
Apostolic of Calabar , S. Nigeria , with the approval of His
yet come ; instead , disappointment and trials of every sort
of such a vocation . Never very robust in health these years
n Africa . Owing to the sudden death of Dr. Dunleavy at
foundress was stricken with fever shortly after her arrival
Apostolic Visitors . It is now deemed essential for the
Riberi . Auditor at the Irish Nunciature . " was appointed
ier a practical knowledge of the difficulties and remirements
advantage of the recently issued instruction and commence
lived together under spiritual guidance for over three years .
lary to receive medical treatment there . What more
Propaganda issued an instruction on 11th February . 1936 .
convinced him of the urgent necessity of Catholic Medical
These girls had hardly completed their training when
medical missions remained steadfast , but God's time had not
Heretofore the practice of obstetrics was disallowed to
of Mary was erected in April , 1937 , into a Religious
longregation by Most Revd . Mr. Marnach Praft
for training in preparation for going out to Nigeria , where
he Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus to make their novitiate .
triking angry could attend the new venture ?
Jardinal MacRory .
In 1933 . she had gathered around her a few earnest
Varr in the mission-field is one of heroic zeal and charity .
Mr. Movnagh had offered an opening when the Institute
girls desirous of devoting their lives to God in the missions
house suitable for a novitiate . This she has recently secured
neantime devoting herself to furthering the work of the
v two principal factors : having come late to the field , " and
Mgr. Robert writing to Mother Mary says : -
Praving and hoping , she continued to seek God's will
tested her vacation and her fidelity to it .
two circumstances combined to bring about the speech
he Congregation of Propaganda .
December , 1936 . The Society of the Medical Missionaries
Excellency Mr. A. Riberi . Delegate Anastalia to Africa
With two companions she sailed for Nigeria in
her work at once .
The work undertaken by the Medical Missionaries of
I will not conclude this letter . however , without
Having placed her two companions under the care of
of His Grace , the Most Revd . Dr. Byrne , she opened a
and the approval of His Eminence the Cardinal Prefect of
measure of success , in many parts are severely handicapped
being deprived of Medical Missionaries .
would gladly join them .
should come into existence .
" The Irish Vicciavarios although working everywhere
" Van intend dear Rard Mather with canavans heart
missions in various ways .
addressing an earnest appeal to those Irish girls . full of
congratulations , yours sincerely in Christ . '
Miss Martin made her vows . the first professed
mossibilities awaiting them in Mary's Medical Missionaries
Hoping that this appeal will have
o make up for this latter deficiency . Let me , therefore ,
zeal and faith , who , were they to know the wonderful
wish you every success in your very timely undertaking .
response . I remain , dear ' Mother Mary ,
Mgr. Robert writing to Mother Mary says :
a favourable
with renewed .
You intend . dear Revd. Mother , with :