100th of FMA presence in Oxford – GBR

Oxford (Great Britain). On 19 October 2024, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of St. Thomas of Canterbury Province (GBR), the Salesian Cooperators, staff, students, Families, parishioners, and friends gathered at the Parish Church of Our Lady Help of Christians in Oxford to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the FMA.

It was on 22 October 1924 that the first three Salesian sisters, with Mother Avio, the Provincial, arrived in Elmthorpe, Cowley, a district of Oxford.

The Holy Mass presided by the Archbishop of Birmingham, Mons. Bernard Longley, and joined by the parish priest, Father Harry Curtis, the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Father Gerry Briody, SDB, Jesuits, Franciscans, and other priests of the Diocese began with a candle brought to the altar to represent the light that has been present since the sisters first arrived in Cowley.

During his homily, the archbishop spoke about the preventive system: Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness. After the homily, the Sisters renewed their vows, and at the offertory, the sisters offered up symbols that displayed the work of the Salesian Sisters in Cowley since 1924. The musical animation was provided by the parish, and students from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School also performed as a choir accompanied with actions.

When the house was opened in 1924, its main function was to be the training ground, the Noviciate, for the Salesian Sisters, but as you will see the purpose of the house changed as circumstances of the times demanded. Within a short space of time the sisters were able to: support the children during parish services, open a private primary school, begin an oratory, give Catechism lessons to children from non-Catholic schools, open sewing classes, run sodalities.

In 1930, Our Lady School was opened, and it is still flourishing today with very strong Salesian principles. Today, Elmthorpe’s main work is to assist the elderly Sisters and Bishop Longley visited and blessed each of them.

Following the Mass celebration, everyone was invited to the Mornese Center for a buffet lunch, with the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones, enjoying the sun of an unusual October in the UK.

With gratitude for these 100 years of presence in Cowley, for the continued presence of Mary who walks with the Educating Community and all those who enter their House, the FMA go forward certain that Our Lady will continue to accompany them into the next 100 years.