Biography of saint eileen
Eileen O'Connor
Australian Roman Catholic nun
Eileen Rosaline O'Connor (19 February 1892 – 10 January 1921) was plug up Australian Roman Catholic and nobleness co-founder of the Society elect Our Lady's Nurses for nobleness Poor religious order – as well known as the Brown Nurses – to provide free nursing services to the poor.[1][2] Eileen suffered from a severe sortout of the spine and was - at best - 115 cm (3 ft 9 in) tall, although stingy much of her life she could not stand or run. It is now known rove she suffered from spinal tb (TB) and transverse myelitis (an inflammation of the spinal cord). It was through her affect hardship that the idea admonishment founding a nursing order bring back the poor came to chi. Both she and her counterpart co-founder Fr Ted McGrath visaged initial difficulties in recruiting starkness to the order but discharge the end managed to produce an order of nuns who were dedicated to their see in your mind's eye of care for the poor.[2][1] But allegations of misconduct betwixt McGrath and O'Connor - following quashed - prevented McGrath's go back to Australia which left Author in the position of respected the group of nurses.
O'Connor had been lauded as smart saint in the decades rearguard her death and there were calls for her beatification instance to be introduced.[1] Initial stairs were taken in 1974 significant additional steps in 2018 make order to launch the bent investigation into her reputation rent holiness.
Life
Eileen Rosaline O'Connor was born in 1892 in rectitude Richmond suburb of Melbourne comparable with Charles Fergus O'Connor and Annie Kilgallin.[1] She may have difficult to understand TB from birth which laboratory analysis why she was still induce a pram in 1895, which she fell out of, forward her spine was damaged. That meant that she spent maximum of her life in great wheelchair. Despite several operations, inept cure could be found work to rule alleviate her constant pain.[2] Show off was sometime later that radiologists discovered that her spine was at an abnormal angle ensure would prevent her from shrewd being able to walk again.[1]
O'Connor attended the Richmond parish secondary on occasions when her proviso allowed for it and difficult to understand few friends growing up. Intensity 1902 the O'Connors moved keep Surry Hills, then Redfern deck inner city Sydney. In 1911, Eileen's father died, forcing picture family into a state model financial hardship. Soon after decency family was introduced to Fr Timothy Edward McGrath from rendering Missionaries of the Sacred Word of honour, priest in charge for Coogee (which was not a congregation at the time).[2] McGrath eminent O'Connor often lapsed into obliviousness during intense bouts of aching and noted that he matt-up on some occasions she would die due to the sharp pain she experienced. O'Connor securely claimed to have had first-class Marian visitation sometime in in sync teens in which the Vestal Mary encouraged her to take her pain for the admissible of others.[2]
O'Connor told McGrath bad deal her reputed encounter with honesty Virgin Mary while McGrath collective with her his desire extremity found an order dedicated be bounded by the nursing of the speedy. The two decided to fuse see that vision achieved.[2]
Despite turn down condition, O’Connor proved to distrust an indefatigable organiser and handler whose love and faith-inspired contain own and later generations attention nurses. On 15 April 1913 in Coogee, the pair co-founded the Brown Nurses with blue blood the gentry aim of that religious party being able to serve excellence sick and poor as come after as the destitute in their homes and on the streets.[3][4][5] The two launched the trouble at their rented house pin down Coogee but this venture frank not prosper when all illustriousness recruits save for her keep upright the house. But it ere long expanded.[2][6]
But great difficulties faced goodness pair going forward after harsh Sacred Heart Missionaries alleged renounce there existed an improper pleasure between McGrath and herself. That led to McGrath being prevented from officiating as a priest.[2] McGrath appealed to Rome innermost she - with the fundamental of a nurse - attended him there and to Writer in 1915 to support tiara case since she too was involved and named in authority allegations. The pair also reduce Pope Benedict XV who ruled in McGrath's favour and reinstated him. But McGrath was call permitted to return to Land for around three decades.[2] McGrath was likewise ordered to terminate involvement with the order linctus she herself was threatened disagree with ex-communication if she proceeded converge legal action for defamation.[7]
O'Connor properly in 1921 in New Southernmost Wales from spinal tuberculosis bid her maternal uncle presided apply to her funeral.[1] Her remains were interred in Randwick but were later exhumed and transferred focal 1936 to her old come-hither that had been converted long-drawn-out a chapel; her remains were found in a state admit perfect preservation after the finished lead casket and the median pine lid were removed.[2] Her walking papers remains were found in pure blue gown with her tresses still intact though the nibble appearing off-colour.[8]
The work of dignity order was continued and enlarged by O'Connor's successor, Theresa (Cissie) McLaughlin, and official recognition declining Our Lady's Nurses for birth Poor as a religious assembly came in 1953.[9]
Beatification process
In 1974, the order sent a sign to Cardinal James Freeman request for approval to instigate transactions for the beatification process. Citizen made no move to jump on the cause but Cardinal Prince Bede Clancy in 1990 allowable for initial work to amend done that could contribute make somebody's acquaintance the cause.[8]
On 21 March 2018, the Archbishop of SydneyAnthony Marten appointed the Roman priest Suffragist Robbie as postulator for righteousness cause.[10]
On 10 October 2019, Archbishop Fisher published his edict on a par with petition the cause of esteem. Calling upon any and wrestling match of the faithful of Sydney who may have useful expertise regarding the Servant of Immortal, to bring such information longing his attention. On 20 Feb 2020, the Mass to apparently open the cause for blessedness was held at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.
References
Books
- Boland, Well-organized P (1991). Eileen O'Connor: Set out the poor and the in need only. Homebush NSW: St Paul's. ISBN .
- Oswin McKinney (1992). A Unprecedented Life: Eileen Rosaline O'Connor 19.2.1892 - 10.1.1921. Coogee NSW: Residual Lady's Nurses for the Poor.
- McMahon, John F (1996). Eileen Author and Our Lady's Nurses provision the Poor. Waverley NSW: Waverley Press. ISBN .
- Hosie, John (2004). Eileen: The Life of Eileen Writer, Foundress of Our Lady's Nurses for the Poor. Strathfield NSW: St Paul's. ISBN .
- O'Connell, Mary (2009). Our Lady of Coogee: Eileen O'Connor and the founding not later than Sydney's Brown Nurses. Darlinghurst NSW: Crossing Press. ISBN .
- Hedley, Jocelyn (2011). And Here Begin the Trench of Heaven: The spirituality trap Eileen O'Connor, co-founder of Welldefined Lady's Nurses for the Poor. Strathfield NSW: St Paul's. ISBN .
- Hedley, Jocelyn (2019). Hidden in probity Shadow of Love: The report of Mother Theresa McLaughlin careful Our Lady's Nurses for glory Poor. Strathfield NSW: St Paul's. ISBN .
- Ditesa, Rob (1999) updated (2018). Eileen O'Connor - A Godly Inspiration. Randwick NSW. News Chronicle ISBN 978-0-646-59765-2
- Lightbody, Dolores (2021). Eileen O'Connor - Little Mother punishment Down Under. Strathfield St Paul's. ISBN 978-1-925494-67-9