Traditionally, the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) — Presentation Sisters — in Newfoundland and Labrador are accustomed to conducting their ministry and pastoral care on behalf of the poor and needy largely under the radar.

The calendar year 2026 is poised to bestow a greater spotlight and increased acclaim on this congregation of women religious in gratitude for their societal contributions.  

Christmas Eve 2025 officially marked the 250th anniversary of Sr. Honora “Nano” Nagle's (1718-84) founding of the Presentation Sisters in Cork, Ireland. The groundwork for this institution, now present in 23 countries across five continents, was laid by Nagle in a small, rented mud cabin over the preceding 21 years.

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In 1754, Nagle was determined to provide poor, neglected children in the area with the gift of schooling, a ministry she had to keep covert as providing Catholic education directly violated the Irish Penal Laws of the country’s Protestant-dominated parliament during the 17th and 18th centuries.

She began with 30 female students, but enrollment quickly rose to 200 pupils within nine months. By 1757, her ministry expanded to seven schools and had begun to admit boys.

Sr. Róisín Gannon, who leads the Newfoundland Presentation Sisters, remains in wonder over what her fellow Irish sister Nagle accomplished.

“I'm filled with admiration and awe at this one woman, Nano Nagle, for the courage, commitment and dedication she had for those who were less fortunate than she was,” said Gannon, who came to Canada over a decade ago from Dublin. “That mission has lasted and still is continuing on in our own ways. Sisters who are not able, say, to get out any more are still there in the background praying for us and the missions.”

By 1833, it was clear to Bishop Michael Fleming, an Irish-born Franciscan, that Newfoundland would benefit from the Presentation Sisters having a presence. Four volunteers from Galway — Srs. Bernard Kirwan, Xaverius Lynch, Xavier Molony and Magdalen O’Shaughnessy — arrived in September of that year.

Their first mission was to develop a suitable school for girls in St. John’s. This endeavour flourished, and over the years, at least 99 other Irish young women felt called to serve in Canada. Young Newfoundland women would also join the sisterhood. Ultimately, 63 schools were established in 38 communities.

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Following the provincial shift to a non-denominational school system just before the new millennium, the Newfoundland sisters altered their educational focus to parish catechetics. They also play an important role in educational mentorship and consultancy.

To this day, the Newfoundland Sisters still hear glowing testimonials from former students, said Gannon.

“I was up at the counter paying for something in a shop one day, and there was a lady beside me, and she saw my ring, which is peculiar to the Presentation Sisters, and she asked, ‘are you a Presentation Sister?’ ” recounted Gannon. “I said, ‘yes, I am.’  She said, ‘I owe everything I have to the Presentation Sisters.’ That has been remarked on so much by people around the island."  

Contemporarily, the Newfoundland unit engages in prayer ministry, providing affordable housing to seniors, offering pastoral care for the sick, supporting the nursing sector, gifting convent space to ministries that help shelter women and children who experienced domestic abuse and individuals with complex mental health needs.

One day after the worldwide congregation launched the commemorative 250th year on Dec. 20, the Newfoundland Sisters celebrated a special Mass in the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Little torches, key rings and a short card detailing the history of Sr. Nagle were distributed to the faithful assembled.

The sight of the entire congregation holding up lit torches while the Sisters participated in the ceremonial procession greatly affected Gannon.

“I was very, very moved and very touched looking down the whole basilica and everyone holding up the light,” said Gannon. “Each of us, no matter what faith we belong to, has a light within us, and how we shine that light is so important.  We felt we were shining the light of Nano that day.”

Guest presentations, a staged drama about the life of Nagle and a host of other special celebrations to honour the legacy of the worldwide and Newfoundland congregations will be scheduled throughout 2026.

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Gannon shared her hope that the additional visibility will translate into younger people gaining an interest in the congregation.

“We do have Presentation associates, some married, others are widowers, some single, to carry on the mission,” said Gannon. “Regarding vowed members, I'm hoping that something might happen this year that will awaken the call because it is a call that will awaken the call in younger people to join us.”