Jane Connolly – first Irish sister

The first Irishwoman to join the Infant Jesus Sisters was Jane Connolly from Derry. Jane joined the sisters in Paris in 1851 – almost 60 years before the foundation in Ireland – and sailed to Malaya in 1852. Her language skills and sense of commitment contributed enormously to the burgeoning mission in Asia.

While on the long journey by ship, Jane wrote to her mother: “ … I am happy, very happy. I want to thank you a thousand times for uniting your sacrifice with mine. I cannot say that I do not feel the separation. When I think of it never to embrace you again and never more to see my dear father, my little sister … all of whom I love so tenderly. All this causes me untold pain, but still there is something deep down in my heart which overrides all regrets, something akin to the voice of God … you too mother have responded to the Divine Voice which you heard say: ‘give me your child’. As the ship sailed from the shore, the sea was calm; its smooth surface seemed to reflect the peace that reigned within my soul. I remained long on the deck in silent prayer, not without shedding some tears…”

Reflection – Jane Connolly
The call of God, as heard by someone like Jane Connolly, is still to be heard in our world today, while showing itself in rather different ways. The Spirit of God blows where it will and continues to touch the hearts of all. It is clear that the Religious life as we have known it is being led to take on a new shape – the form of which is still evolving. We are being invited to give God the space to lead us forward, trusting that whatever happens may be what God desires for all peoples on our planet at this time in history.

“The Lord Yahweh has given me a disciple’s tongue, that I might know how to give a word of comfort to the weary. Morning by morning, the Lord Yahweh makes my ear alert to listen like a disciple.” Isaiah 50: 4

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