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 nuns who follow the rules of Saint Benedict. Their official name is the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmartre. They started in Paris, France, but had to move to London, England, in 1903 because of new laws. They have since opened convents in many other countries. In their London convent, the nuns spend time in prayer, especially in something called Perpetual Adoration. They also have a special place to remember Catholic martyrs who were executed in England a long time ago.
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The Tyburn Nuns: A Story of Faith
A French woman named Adèle Garnier, also known as Mother Marie de Saint-Pierre, started this group of nuns in Paris in 1898. They lived in a place called Montmartre, which means 'Mount of the Martyr'.
In 1901, France passed a new law that made it hard for religious groups like convents to operate. Because of this law, many religious communities had to leave France. Mother Garnier moved her group of nuns to London in 1903. They settled in what became the Tyburn Convent in London.
Why London?
The nuns chose this location because it was very close to the historic site of the Tyburn gallows. This was a place where many Catholic martyrs were executed between 1535 and 1681. These included important figures like Saint Oliver Plunkett and Saint Edmund Campion.
The newly arrived nuns created the Martyrs' Shrine. This shrine honors the more than 350 Catholic martyrs who were executed in England during and after the time of the Reformation. After World War II, some French sisters decided to return to France. This led to a split in the community. The Tyburn Convent in London is now the main home for the London-based group of nuns.
What is Perpetual Adoration?
Mother Garnier started the Adorers to pray to God in a special way. This prayer is called Adoration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the exposed Blessed Sacrament. It originally took place in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre.
When the community moved to their new home in London, the Adoration continued there. More and more nuns joined, which allowed them to practice Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This means someone is always praying before the Blessed Sacrament, day and night.
The Purpose of Adoration
The main goal of this Adoration is to ask God for forgiveness for actions that show disrespect to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Sacrament. The nuns also pray for priests.
Perpetual Adoration has continued at the London convent ever since it was established. It only stopped for a short time during World War II when the convent was bombed. During that time, the Adoration moved to a safer place in Sussex. People from all over the world visit the shrine and join in the prayers.
How the Nuns Live
The Tyburn Nuns follow the Rule of St Benedict as their guide for daily life. This rule helps them live a life of prayer, work, and community. They also have extra rules and customs specific to their group.
What They Wear
The sisters wear the traditional black Benedictine habit. This is a long dress, but their veil and guimpe (a piece of cloth covering the neck and chest) are updated.
- Newcomers, called Postulants, wear regular clothes with a short black veil.
- Novices wear the habit with a white veil and a white cloak for choir prayers.
- Junior professed sisters wear the black veil, a special medal, and a white choir cloak.
- Perpetually professed sisters wear the black veil, medal, a ring, and a white choir cowl.
The nuns say Mass and pray the Liturgy of the Hours in everyday languages like English and Spanish.
Where They Are Now
The Tyburn community has opened other convents in many places around the world:
- Scotland
- Ireland at Cobh
- New Zealand – they have two convents there, one at Bombay and another at Ngakaru, Rotorua.
- Australia at Riverstone (though this one is moving closer to the Blue Mountains).
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Colombia
- Saint-Loup-sur-Aujon, France, which is near where their founder, Marie-Adèle Garnier, was born.
The convent in Rome has been temporarily closed.
While the group was founded for Perpetual Adoration, today most convents do Adoration mainly during the day. They also share this prayer time with visitors and local people. The Tyburn Nuns have about 60 professed sisters worldwide, plus some who are still training.
The French Branch
After World War II, in 1947, the Holy See (the main authority of the Catholic Church) confirmed a split in the congregation. This created two separate branches: the Montmartre Benedictines in England (the Tyburn Nuns) and those who had returned to France. By the end of 2005, the French branch had 107 sisters in ten convents, all located within France.
See also
In Spanish: Adoratrices del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús de Montmartre para niños
