Knock Basilica was the venue recently for a wonderful Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the foundation of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary and its 200 years of education in schools and colleges in 28 countries and five continents. Over 2000 people assembled including students and staff from the four primary schools, and the four secondary schools in which Sisters have worked since 1912 in Ireland. They joined with Sisters, past pupils, former Staff, parents, ex RJMs, families and friends in participating in the Mass. The main Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Michael McLoughlin from the Diocese of Galway, assisted by Bishop Emeritus Christy Jones and 18 other clergy who were past pupils or who had worked with the Sisters down through the years. The theme of the Mass was “Journeying with Claudine, Woman of Faith, Forgiveness and Communion”. Founded by Claudine Thevenet in Lyons, France in 1818 in the aftermath of the French revolution, for the education of the young and to create school communities that nurtured the holistic development of young people. For further news on this special day, read the article composed by Sr Mary Kelly in our Winter Update available in the Newsletter section.
