Poignant Gathering of Columbans in Magheramore

There was a wonderful, if poignant, gathering of Columban Missionaries at the Mother House of the Columban Sisters in Maghermore, Co Wicklow recently.

Columban Fathers from Dalgan, Columban Lay Missionary, Angie Escarsa, and the Columban Sisters in Magheramore came together for their annual gathering, which will be the last one in Maghermore.

Magheramore has been home to the Sisters since 1957 after they moved from Cahiracon, Co Clare. Down the years the convent has welcomed Sisters retiring from their missionary work and Sisters on home-leave. It was also the base for younger Sisters undertaking renewal courses.

The convent sits across the road from Magheramore Beach.

The Columban Sisters played a pivotal role in the development of Wicklow Hospice, which officially opened in 2020 after the Columban Sisters donated 3.5 acres of land towards the construction of the facility in 2009.

Last year the Sisters’ nursing home in Magheramore closed. Now the beautiful lands and buildings are to be sold. The Sisters have a new smaller convent in Dublin.

However, the Sisters will still retain their Community Cemetery in Magheramore where many Sisters are buried.

While there was a poignancy about the gathering in Magheramore, it was also an opportunity to gjve thanks to God for the Columban Sisters’ presence there over many years.

At the gathering of Columban Missionaries on Sunday 29^th August 2026, Sr Mary Anthony reflected on “this moment in our Columban Missionary life with hearts full of gratitude and appreciation. Recognising the journey we have shared, the people who have enriched our lives, and the blessings we continue to receive at this stage of our Missionary story.”

Here is Sr Mary Anthony’s reflection:

“Fr John, Sisters and our Columban Fathers, within this great prayer of remembrance and thanksgiving to God, at this stage of our Columban Missionary life, we wish to honour this moment and reflect with gratitude on the life we have shared between our Congregation and your Columban Society.

We know that every picture tells a story. Today, as we gather here, we are creating a picture that tells our own story – a story woven into the greater story of our Congregation and of your Society.

It is a story of collaboration, faith and shared mission spanning more than 100 years. This story began in the heart of God, when He entrusted the mission of His Son to a young priest and a young widow: Fr John Blowick our Founder and Mother Mary Patrick Moloney our Co-Founder.

Through these two great people, and over the years, both your Society and our Congregation have grown and flourished.  The Society was enriched by Brothers, a small group of men with BIG MISSIONARY HEARTS, Priests and Lay Missionaries.  We, too, have been deeply enriched by the gift of Lay Associates.

Today is truly a day of joy, gratitude and appreciation.

We give thanks to God for the rich heritage of generosity and cooperation that has been entrusted to us by Fr Blowick and Mother Mary Patrick.

We, Sisters, wish to express to each of you, our brothers, our deep appreciation for the friendship, hospitality and loyalty we have experienced throughout the years, both when we worked side by side with you in Ireland and in the many countries where we have been missioned.

Your presence with us today is a beautiful testament to the bonds of loyalty and friendship that have been forged over the years.  We are deeply grateful for your continued support, kindness, and companionship.  Thank you from the depths of our hearts.

You our brothers, and those gone before you, have generously shared your resources, spirituality, and expertise, whilst valuing and availing of the resources and expertise we were able to offer. Throughout our shared history, we have collaborated with one another in a spirit of mutual respect, trust and generosity.

Whenever we found ourselves in need, very often our first port of call was to our Columban Fathers. More often than not, you were there for us even before we had the opportunity to call.  Your readiness to respond, your care, and your generosity have been a constant source of support and encouragement to us.

You truly are our brothers, and we are deeply grateful for the bond of friendship and fraternity that we share.

Thanks to the legacy of Mother Mary Patrick and Fr Blowick we have inherited the precious gift of being able to work through misunderstandings in a spirit of fraternity, patience and mutual respect.

Since our first days in Cahiracon up to the present day the Columban Fathers have been our Chaplains. Fr John is still carrying that torch faithfully, ministering to us to this day. Let us give a warm round of applause in loving appreciation.

To each of you, we are deeply grateful for the ways you are holding us in this moment of our Missionary lives.

We go out to continue celebrating our story, with the words of Mother Mary Patrick and Fr Blowick ringing in our hearts.

“We want this wide and happy spirit, straight as a die, but not tending to crush the individuality of anyone, or to turn out all our members in one pattern or mould. Rather would one have their souls expand in the sunshine of God’s love and service” – Mother Mary Patrick.

“The watch word is FORWARD. FULL STEAM AHEAD” – Fr John Blowick.