Tyburn Nuns facts for kids
Tyburn Convent Chapel exterior
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| Formation | c. AD 1898 |
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| Founder | Mère Marie de Saint-Pierre, Adèle Garnier |
| Type | Catholic religious order |
| Headquarters | Marble Arch London |
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Main organ
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Tyburn Convent |
The Tyburn Nuns are a group of Catholic Benedictine nuns. Their official name is the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre. They were first started in Paris, France. But due to new laws in France in 1901, they had to find a new main home. Two years later, they moved to London. Since then, they have opened new convents in nine other countries. The nuns in London focus on praying to God through something called Perpetual Adoration. They also have a special place to honor Catholic martyrs who died for their faith in England.
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History of the Tyburn Nuns
A French woman named Adèle Garnier started this group in 1898. She was known as Mother Marie de Saint-Pierre. They began in Montmartre, Paris. Montmartre means 'Mount of the Martyr'.
In 1901, France passed a law called the Waldeck-Rousseau Law of Associations. This law made it very hard for religious groups like convents to operate. Because of this, many religious communities had to leave France. Mother Garnier moved her group to London in 1903. They settled at what is now the Tyburn Convent on Bayswater Road. This is close to Marble Arch.
Why London Was Chosen
The nuns chose this location for a special reason. It was near the site of the Tyburn tree. This was a place where many people were executed. From 1535 to 1681, 105 Catholic martyrs were executed there. These included important figures like Saint Oliver Plunkett and Saint Edmund Campion. They died during a time called the English Reformation.
The new nuns built a Martyrs' Shrine. This shrine honors the more than 350 Catholic Martyrs. These people were executed in England during and after the Reformation. The Tyburn Convent in London is now the main home for this group of nuns.
What is Perpetual Adoration?
Mother Garnier started the Adorers to pray to God. This special prayer is called Adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It involves praying before the Blessed Sacrament, which is a special part of their faith. They first did this at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre. When the nuns moved to their new convent, they continued this prayer there. Over time, more nuns joined. This allowed them to practice Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This means someone is always praying, day and night.
The goal of this prayer is to ask God for forgiveness. They pray for anything that might have gone against the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They also pray for the Blessed Sacrament. In France, the original nuns felt that this prayer was needed. It was to make up for disrespect shown to the Blessed Sacrament. The Foundress also felt a special calling to pray for priests.
Perpetual Adoration has continued at the London convent ever since it started. It only stopped for a short time during World War II. The convent building was bombed then. The prayer was moved to Wadhurst in Sussex until it was safe to return. Many people, including pilgrims and tourists, visit the shrine today.
How the Nuns Live (Rule of Life)
The Tyburn Nuns follow the Rule of St Benedict. This is a set of guidelines for how they live their lives. They also have their own specific rules and customs. These are written in a special manual.
The sisters wear a traditional black Benedictine habit. This is their special clothing. They have a modern veil and a guimpe, which covers their neck and chest.
- Newcomers, called Postulants, wear regular clothes. They also wear a short black veil.
- Next, they become Novices. They wear the habit with a white veil and a white cloak for choir.
- Sisters who have made their first promises wear a black veil. They also have a special medal and a white choir cloak.
- Sisters who have made their final promises wear a black veil, a medal, a ring, and a white choir cowl.
They say their prayers and Mass in their own languages. This includes English and Spanish.
Where the Tyburn Nuns Are Today (Expansion)
The Tyburn community has opened other convents around the world. These include:
- Scotland
- Ireland at Cobh
- New Zealand - two convents:
- Tyburn Convent at Bombay in Auckland
- Tyburn Convent Cor Iesu Fons Vitae at Ngakaru, Rotorua
- Australia at Riverstone (this convent is moving closer to the Blue Mountains)
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Colombia
- Saint-Loup-sur-Aujon, France, near where the founder, Marie-Adèle Garnier, was born.
The convent in Rome has been temporarily closed. A new convent in Africa opened but closed soon after. The nuns have also helped older Benedictine communities in Europe.
There are about 60 professed sisters in the Tyburn community worldwide. There are also some younger sisters who are still training.
See also
In Spanish: Adoratrices del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Montmartre para niños
