IN a “rewrite” of history, Queensland’s “first Sisters of Mercy” have arrived aboard the HMB Endeavour.
Six All Hallows” School students staged a recreation of the Mercy Sisters’ arrival aboard a replica of Captain Cook’s famous ship moored at Eagle Street Pier in the heart of Brisbane on April 27.
The Mercies’ Brisbane congregational leader Sr Sandra Lupi said, despite the event being make-believe, watching the faces of the young students as they waved from the ship’s stern led her to recall the courage of the original Sisters.
“Those young women – the youngest a postulant aged around 17 – led by Mother Vincent Whitty were so courageous,” Sr Lupi said.
“They left their families in Ireland to travel on a boat for six months to an unknown land.
“Their level of commitment and belief that this was God’s mission for them was remarkable.
“Mother Vincent too had left her project of founding Ireland’s Mater Hospital unfinished such was her conviction of God’s calling to this work in Australia.”
The recreation aboard the Endeavour was part of ongoing celebrations to mark 150 years of the congregation’s ministry in Queensland and of Brisbane’s All Hallows’ School.
It recalled the arrival of Mother Whitty with five young companions – a postulant, two novices and two professed Sisters – aboard the Wonga Wonga which steamed into port in Brisbane about 10pm on May 10, 1861.
They arrived at the invitation of Bishop James Quinn, bringing the first Sisters of Mercy to Queensland and establishing the Brisbane congregation of the Sisters of Mercy.
The group had travelled from Ireland to Liverpool, leaving in December 1860 to make the trip to Australia aboard the Donald McKay.
Meanwhile in the 21st Century, the 40m Endeavour, a replica of Captain Cook’s famous barque, arrived in Brisbane the day before the Mercy sesquicentenary event.
Captain Ross Matson and the crew found time to fit in the event while busily preparing for the ship’s opening to the public the following day.
Brisbane was the first port on the first leg of the ship’s 13-month circumnavigation of Australia which started from Sydney on April 15 and will finish there on May 21 next year.
Mr Matson said it had been a pleasure to make the ship available for “such a worthy community event”.
Sr Lupi said a Story Bridge climb on May 18 would be the next event in the Queensland congregation’s sesquicentary celebrations.
Celebration of the Eucharist on September 24 at St Stephen’s Cathedral will be a major public event.
