The
Consolata Sisters.
The Consolata
Missionary Sisters were founded in Turin (Italy) in 1910 by Blessed
Joseph Allamano. As a young man he had desired to go to the missions,
but due to his frail health he had always been discouraged from doing
so. He became a Diocesan Priest, and at the age of 28 he was appointed
the Rector of the Shrine dedicated to Our Lady Consolata in Turin.
Here he remained for 46 years until his death on February 16th 1926.
It was
during this time that he kept on thinking about the needs of the Missions,
and could finally realise his desire to spread the Gospel to all peoples,
by founding the Consolata Missionary Fathers and Brothers in 1901,
and the Consolata Missionary Sisters in 1910.
The first
Sisters left for Kenya in 1913, and were soon followed by many others,
not only for our Missions in Kenya, but also for other African countries,
and Latin America.
When the
English Authorities in Kenya required that all personnel working in
Mission Schools and Mission Hospitals should have English Diplomas,
the Superiors of the Consolata Missionary Sisters decided to investigate
the possibility of opening a House in England. This would be the first
step to secure a place where the Sisters could learn English, and
qualify for their apostolate in English speaking Countries.
In 1950
some Sisters were invited to St Edmunds College in Ware, to take over
supervision of its domestic housekeeping. The same year, other sisters
reached Kendal, where they could learn the language, and train as
Nurses in the nearby Hospital.
The Sisters
remained at the Diocesan Seminary for a total of 24 Years. They left
Kendal on December 30th 1971, and moved down to Wanstead, where they
opened the new Convent located at No. 13, The Avenue, on December
31st 1971. Another House, at 11 Regent Square, in London, was bought
on January 18th 1974.
On January
14th 1972, Bishop Casey came to our Convent here in Wanstead, to celebrate
the First Mass in our Chapel, and we are delighted to have had the
Blessed Sacrament with us ever since!.
In 30 Years,
many Sisters have spent time in Wanstead. Sisters have come to train
as Nurses at Whipps Cross Hospital, to study English, take Theology,
or take Refresher Courses, at the M.I.L. in Mill Hill, at St. Anselm
in Margate, or at Hawkstone Hall in Shrewsbury.
All Courses
have always been in view of the apostolate they would be called to
carry on in the Missions.
We are now present in:
| AFRICA |
AMERICA |
EUROPE |
| |
|
|
| Ethiopia |
Argentina |
England |
| Guinea
Bissau |
Bolivia |
Italy |
| Kenya |
Brazil |
Portugal |
| Liberia |
Colombia |
Spain |
| Mozambique |
United
States |
Switzerland
|
| Somalia |
Venezuela
|
|
| Tanzania
|
|
|
In all we do, we seek to respond with joy and enthusiasm to Christ's
invitation to go where the Gospel needs to be proclaimed
The Parishioners
of Our Lady of Lourdes have always given their help towards the running
of our Missionary activities, in particular, those we carry on in
Ethiopia. They have always been very encouraging and supportive!.
Our activities
in the Parish are limited by Community responsibilities - at weekends,
visiting Parishes throughout England for Mission Appeals, following
our Student Sisters, maintaining contact with our Missions and answering
their requests for help. The activities we do undertake in the Parish
include visiting the elderly and the Sick, participating in Parish
organised events, reading the Sunday Liturgy and Eucharistic Ministry.
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