Mary Xavier Molony facts for kids

Sister Mary Xavier Molony (born August 1781 – died October 1865) was an Irish nun. She was a member of the Presentation Sisters. She is famous for helping to start some of the very first Catholic schools in Newfoundland, Canada.

Her birth name was Belinda Molony. She was born in Tulla, County Clare, Ireland. Her parents were Francis and Catherine Maloney. In 1825, she became a Presentation Sister in Galway. This is when she chose her new name, Mary Xavier.

Journey to Newfoundland

In August 1833, Sister Mary Xavier Molony began a big journey. She traveled from Galway to Newfoundland. She went with Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan and two other sisters. Their goal was to start a school for girls who had lost their parents. Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming had asked them to come. This group of sisters was the first group of nuns ever to arrive in Newfoundland.

They reached St. John's on September 21. For four months, no one in Ireland heard from them. People thought they were lost at sea. A special church service was even held for them. The original copies of their vows were burned. Luckily, they were safe!

Starting Schools

Soon after arriving, the sisters began teaching. They gathered girls from poor families. They divided them into different classes. Their first classroom was in an old building. It used to be a tavern called the "Rising Sun."

The sisters taught many subjects. These included grammar, reading, math, French, music, and sewing. They also taught Christian lessons. The school grew very quickly. In 1833, about 450 students attended. By 1844, this number had grown to 1,200 students! Later, boys and adults also joined the school.

The school moved several times. A new convent, or home for the sisters, was built in December 1844. But a big fire in St. John's on June 9, 1846, destroyed it. There were eight sisters at that time. They moved to Bishop Fleming’s farm outside the city. In 1850, Bishop John Thomas Mullock helped build a new convent. It was located on Cathedral Square.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1853, Sister Molony became the first leader of a new convent. This was in Harbour Main. It opened on July 9, 1853. One hundred and eighty children attended this new school.

After three years, Sister Molony became ill. She had to return to the main convent in St. John's. There, she spent her time painting religious pictures. She also made decorations for the church altars. Sister Mary Xavier Molony passed away in October 1865. She was 84 years old. Her work helped many children in Newfoundland get an education.