Annie Lynch facts for kids

Annie Lynch (1870-1938) was an amazing Irish-born Australian nun and nurse. She was also known as Mother Mary Xavier. She belonged to a group called the Little Company of Mary, which focused on caring for the sick. Annie Lynch became the first leader (called 'provincial') for her group in Australia and New Zealand. She helped the Lewisham Hospital grow a lot and started many other hospitals across both countries.

Early Life in Ireland

Annie Lynch was born in 1870 in a town called Virginia in Ireland. Her mother was also named Annie Lynch. Her father was a farmer who raised sheep and cattle.

Life in rural Ireland was often tough for farming families. The late 1870s were especially hard. There were problems with land and crops, and some people even faced famine.

Becoming a Nurse and Nun

As a young woman, Annie went to a school run by the Sisters of Mercy. She felt called to a religious life. So, she decided to join the Little Company of Mary. This Catholic group was started by Mary Potter in 1877. Their special job was to care for people who were sick or dying. The sisters were trained as nurses.

In 1887, Annie moved to Rome, Italy, where Mary Potter had set up the main house for the order. Annie joined the group on April 1, 1887. Mary Potter herself guided Annie during her training period. When Annie made her final promises, she chose her religious name: "Mary Francis Xavier". She also started wearing the order's blue uniform. This special blue dress earned the sisters the nickname "Blue Nuns" or "Blue Sisters".

Annie trained as a nurse in Rome. She then worked in hospitals and in people's homes in Rome, Fiesole, and Florence.

Starting a New Hospital in Malta

Annie stayed in Rome until 1894. Then, she was sent to start a new group of sisters in Malta. Three other "Blue Sisters" joined her. They were asked by Archbishop Pietro Pace to help care for the sick. Annie was put in charge of this new group.

In 1898, they began building a convent for the sisters. It was finished in 1901. The top floor of this building was used as a hospital.

Leading the Way in Australia

In 1899, before the Malta building was finished, Annie Lynch was called back to Rome. Mary Potter needed her strong leadership skills for a new job. Annie was asked to spend six months helping the sisters in Australia.

A small group of sisters had arrived in Sydney, Australia, in 1885. They started a convent in Lewisham. They opened the Children's Hospital of the Holy Child in 1889. A general hospital for adults began in 1898. The sisters also managed a hospital for mental health.

By 1899, there were some disagreements among the church leaders and the sisters. Annie's job was to help everyone get along. She arrived in Sydney on August 21, 1899. After six months, she was put in charge of the whole group in Australia.

Growing Lewisham Hospital

For the next 40 years, Annie Lynch managed the Lewisham Hospital. At first, it cared for women and children. But in 1912, it started taking male patients too. Because of Annie's hard work and great management, Lewisham Hospital became one of the best hospitals in Australia.

Annie also helped the "Blue Sisters" open more hospitals. In November 1899, she sent sisters to North Adelaide to help a hospital that was struggling. In 1904, she sent four sisters to South Africa to start a hospital in Port Elizabeth. In 1914, she started a new group in Christchurch, New Zealand, and opened a hospital there the next year.

Also in 1914, Annie traveled to Rome. She attended a big meeting for the Little Company of Mary. This meeting happened after the founder, Mary Potter, had passed away. Annie wanted to make sure the hospitals offered the best care. So, she visited hospitals in England and the United States. She learned about the newest ways to nurse and manage hospitals.

In 1922, the Little Company of Mary had grown a lot. They created four separate regions. Annie Lynch was chosen to be the leader for the Australia and New Zealand region. On August 28, 1924, people celebrated her 25th anniversary in Sydney. Soon after, she went to Rome to help choose the new worldwide leader for the order.

In 1926, Annie started a hospital in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. In 1927, she helped open a second hospital in New Zealand, in Wellington.

On September 18, 1927, a new chapel opened at Lewisham Hospital. It was called the Maternal Heart Chapel. Annie Lynch had worked hard to raise money for this beautiful chapel.

Later Years and Legacy

Annie Lynch retired in 1929 because she was not well. She spent her last years at the sisters' home in Wollongong. She passed away on June 7, 1938. This was exactly 50 years after Lewisham Hospital first opened.

After she died, her body was brought to the Maternal Heart Chapel at Lewisham Hospital. Nuns and church leaders, including Archbishop Thomas O'Shea from New Zealand, were there. The nuns stayed with her body overnight, which is a Catholic tradition. On June 9, 1938, Archbishop O'Shea led a special funeral service in the chapel.

A priest named R. Macken gave a speech. He said that "Australia owes her more than anyone else for the growth of that great healing home known as Lewisham." The chapel was full of people.

After the service, a large funeral procession went to Rookwood Cemetery. Annie Lynch was buried there with Catholic traditions.

A kind woman named Countess Eileen Marie Freehill gave 5,000 Pounds to Lewisham Hospital. She did this to honor Annie Lynch. Countess Freehill's husband had been the hospital's secretary for many years.

See Also

• Norah Martin
• Little Company of Mary Health Care (Australia)
• Nursing in Australia