About our schools founders - The Brigidines
The Brigidines are a small group of prophetic women who are called to live courageously the mission of the Gospel in the spirit of St Brigid and Daniel
Delany, their Founder.
" by supporting their own Sisters and being good
parishioners
" by being a voice for the voiceless in Aotearoa NZ and the rest of the
world
" by being committed to respecting and caring for all of Gods
creation
" by celebrating all that is good with joy and gratitude
" by continuing to be women of peace and justice who are faithful,
welcoming and full of hope
St Brigid and Daniel Delaney St Brigid's
Cross
In 1948, Bishop Liston of the Auckland Diocese invited the Brigidines to staff Mt Carmel School in the parish of Meadowbank. Sisters Michael Henry,
Aquinas Johnson and Dominica McKenna left Wellington for the long train journey to Auckland on 23 January 1952. For several days they enjoyed the hospitality of the Sisters of Mercy and it was not until 30 January 1952 that the three Sisters
moved into 42 Bassett Road, Remuera. The Sisters were not living in the parish they worked in and travelling caused many problems so a car was generously donated for the Sisters to use. Father Bowling, Parish Priest of Orakei, asked for extra Sisters to staff his school in 1956, but it was
not until 1958 that three more Sisters joined the Auckland Community and St Josephs school, Orakei, was on the map! Following in the wake of this celebration came the opening of the much awaited new Convent at Meadowbank on 29 November 1959.
The present day Brigidines hope that students of schools founded by the Brigidine Sisters will rejoice in learning of their history and realise that their
school is part of a whole:
Part of the dream of a Bishop in Ireland and his hope that his people would become Christ-like and would be strong and gentle like St
Brigid.
Brigids sacred fire was kept alight in Kildare for hundreds of years, until it was finally extinguished about the time of the Reformation. Her flame transcends all beliefs, cultures and traditions, it spreads out across the world inspiring us with its warmth and light, challenging us to become more than we have ever been before.
Brigid has given us her flame to light the way before us; to strengthen and guide us on our journeys and to be a beacon of hope for the
future.
