An Historical Tribute

"This house doesn't look very old.  It hasn't got any real history attached to it, has it?"
a young sister asked Mother Kevin.
"Not that I know of dear," she replied.  "It is up to you and future
generations to make some."

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"More Than I Can"

"More Than I Can" is a missionary film made in 1954 by Kingston Davies to show the life and work of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa.  At that time it was popular for missionary congregations to make films about their life and work to show as they made their appeals for the missions.  A film could say a great deal more than words alone.  Missionary films were shown in Parish Halls, in schools, in private homes and anywhere there was interest.   Today such films are archives - but they are still an invaluable record of the challenges and achievements faced by missionaries in the first half of the twentieth century. 

Enjoy these still shots from the film "More Than I Can"

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 All Aboard the "Lunatic Line"!

Today we can scarcely imagine what a journey into the 'interior' of Africa entailed back in 1903.  To read the rather humourous account of the journey our first Sisters made on board the "Lunatic Line" Click here>>> or click on icon to open pdf file. 

Said of Mother Kevin...

"A little Irish lady of no bulk at all; smiling her way through life's ups and downs;
taking on her shoulders burdens that would stagger an Atlas;
a power of force and attraction, keen-witted, clever and generous" 

"A hundred years before her time, as usual"

"Mother Kevina is a woman of God. 
She is the same to us all without considering their race or colour. 
She belongs to us all, not only to the Christians or the Catholics"

"...one of the great missionary figures of her age."

"Kevina, Ah, that one!  She can see right in through your eyes to your thoughts!"

"This is the nun who thrives on difficulties, in whom burns the zeal of St. Paul,
whose mottos are hard work, speed and perfect trust in Divine Providence
and who has all the human qualities which so readily win hearts...  

"Irish born, African reared"

"She is an amazing woman. The whole Department (Government) may
have firmly decided that she cannot have approval for all
her private enterprises.  She calls on us. 
She is perfectly simple, perfectly charming and perfectly inflexible.
Invariably she gets what she has come for; invariably she is proved to be right
She is a wonder, a woman totally dedicated to religion,
she keeps us all on our secular toes.