Nano Nagle’s Christmas legacy

By Caroline Thompson, Nano Nagle Associate, Australia

One of the enduring stories of Nano Nagle and the early Sisters is that of the Christmas dinner they hosted for Cork’s poorest people on Christmas Eve 1775. This event is beautifully captured in Southard’s painting, with the echoes of this act of compassion and hospitality inspiring tens of thousands of Presentation People across the years.

The dinner was simple but the desire of the early Sisters to bring hope and love to Cork’s beggars was a strong and enduring part of the Presentation charism. Recently I heard Franciscan theologian, Ilia Delio, describe Advent as a time when God is waiting for us to wake up and make God’s presence real and alive in the world. It is not a time of waiting for Jesus’ birth but of recognising that we ourselves need to wake up to the call to be the face of Christ to those with whom we live and work, especially those made poor and vulnerable. Christ is already with us.

Advent is about awakening to a new sense of love

Some people are already awakened to the call to be Christ for others and Nano Nagle was one of these ‘awakened’ souls. She did not need an invitation to take the lantern of hope and kindness into the narrow alleyways of Cork. She understood the power of presence. Nano was an Advent person – someone who understood that God’s love had to be spread through our everyday actions. As Pope Francis reminds us: This is what it means to be a man or woman for others: to stand in solidarity with those on the periphery of society, humbly providing the opportunity for them to be seen, to matter, to know that their life story has value… (Apostolic Exhortation on Consecrated Life).

We are all invited to be true Advent people, not just in the lead-up to Christmas, but every day.

As we light the Advent Candles in our homes and churches, let us give thanks for Nano Nagle’s example of selfless giving, for the legacy and presence of Presentation People everywhere, and for the light of Christ beckoning us to help light the world with love - one person, one act of kindness at a time.

“Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn to the light of God made man.” Pope Francis

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Henri Nouwen