A diary belonging to a Sister from Derry has been found amongst the dust of a derelict house. The diary details thoughts on the Sisters life with the Sisters of Nazareth, with entries dating from the 1930s and continuing until the 1970s. Sister Mary had joined the Sisters of Nazareth in the 1920s, and her diary records a visit from her ‘dear father’ in 1924. The diary contains old photographs, books and cards as well as Sister Mary’s notes.
One passage says ‘Our darling Lord doesn’t want my head, he wants my heard – my love… my heart just as it is’. The diary shows the approach of the Sister saying ‘It is better to go out from Our Lord’s Table with a smile from everyone’ and that ‘We are not made to keep Rules only but to be generous in our outlook in kindness to others, helping them in their difficulties…’ .
These thoughts and entries are still relevant to the Sisters of Nazareth today and show that the work of the Sisters continues, and their beliefs have remained strong for over a hundred years.