In a take on the “nature or nurture” quandary as to how human character is formed, is the question are saints born or become so through their life experiences. Nano Nagle’s father predicted she would become a saint. As we continue our reflections on our San Francisco 170th Anniversary, we know that Nano Nagle was venerated by the people of her time and continues to be today. The Roman Catholic Church has also declared her Venerable, the second level towards canonization. In four reflections on the stages of Nano Nagle’s life, we will look at how she became both venerated and Venerable through the values, virtues, and vision she developed in response to the times in which she lived. PART FOUR
Establishing the Vision
As the number of schools grew and Nano’s vision included more service to the poor people of Cork, she sought a systematic means of preserving her work. Surrounded by her faithful trio of fellow instructors -- Mary Ann Collins, Mary Fouhy, and Elizabeth Burke – and other volunteers and supporters, Nano wanted to plan for a more formal continuance.
With the help of Irish priests in France, Nano approached the Ursuline Sisters in France in the early 1760s. Nano offered to establish and endow a convent for them in Cork, if they would train and send Sisters to take up the work of Nano’s schools. The Ursulines were renowned for their schools, taking a fourth vow of instruction. Nano encouraged Irish women to enter the institute in France to be prepared to return to Ireland for this Cork foundation. In 1771, after ten years of preparation, the four novices and a superior arrived in Cork.
The Ursulines brought with them their rule of enclosure, which meant they would open their own school within the confines of their convent but would not venture out into the winding lanes of Cork to teach in Nano’s schools. It is believed that Nano thought they would give up their rule of enclosure once they arrived in Ireland.
Faced again with how to provide for the future of her schools, Nano was counseled by her advisors to begin her own order of women religious. Sometimes referred to as “walking nuns,” these religious would break the mold of enclosure and be able to tend to the children in Nano’s schools.
Initially resistant, Nano finally agreed. With her three companions -- Mary Ann Collins, Mary Fouhy, and Elizabeth Burke – Nano founded the Sisters of the Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Christmas Eve, 1775. This date coincided with the Feast for Beggars she held each year, signaling the mission and continuing vision of serving the poor.
Nano took the religious name of John of God. St. John of God, in his time was venerated for his trust in God, as well as his care for the poor, sick, aged, and abandoned. Nano clearly saw his example as one to follow in her own life and in the life of her newly formed institute. The devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, begun in France, committed Nano to the love of all as Jesus did, a reminder of Ann’s instruction to see the face of Christ in everyone.
Later in the life of the institute, due to canonical considerations, a new name was required of the institute. The Sisters of the that time decided on the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast that honors Mary’s total commitment to her God.
The last years of Nano’s life were a period of political turmoil in Ireland. Against this backdrop, she established her institute which received new members. The winter of 1783-1784, exacerbated Nano’s long time health struggle with “hemorrhaging lungs.” Continuing her routine of teaching during the day and visiting the needy in the evenings, Nano collapsed. With her community gathered around her, Nano Nagle, Venerated and Venerable, died around noon on April 26, 1784. On her death bed, she uttered two instructions carried by all Presentation Sisters – “spend yourselves for the poor” and “love one another.”
Asked at one point about the future of her fledgling institute, Nano assured the questioner, “be assured it will certainly flourish after our death.” These words proved true and today there are over 1,300 Sisters of the Presentation and their supporters serving on six continents.
Whether Nano’s character was a result of nature or nurture, there are many thousands of people who give thanks for the “Lady with the Lantern.”
For more information about the Sisters of the Presentation international presence, go to https://globalpres.org.