What Guides Us

What Guides Us

Our Charism

The Congregation is shaped by fidelity to the Gospel as expressed in the spirituality and charism of Ven. Nano Nagle; her search for union with God in contemplation, her choice of education as a vehicle of liberation for the vulnerable and the powerless, and her compassionate love for those in any kind of need. (C2*)
In fidelity to the founding spirit we are called like Ven. Nano to be a prophetic presence and voice in the service of people made poor. We work to ensure the dignity of persons is respected and their rights upheld by engaging in compassionate service, especially through various forms of education. (C7*)
We are called to “be compassionate” which means addressing the root causes of poverty and all that threatens to diminish the life and dignity of people and Earth made poor. Compassion demands that we expand our circle of love to include all life, all beings. It was this compassion that drove Ven. Nano to spend her life for the poor.
Inspired by her charism and her example, we are dedicated to reaching out to those on the margins by engaging in compassionate service. We participate in the mission of Jesus by working for the transformation of unjust systems, the integrity of creation and the flourishing of humanity and the earth.

Take down your lantern from its
niche and go out!
You may not rest in firelight
certainties,
Secure from drifting fog of doubt and
fear.
You may not build yourselves
confining walls and say,
“thus far, and thus, and thus far shall
I walk
And these things shall I do and
nothing more.”
Go out! For need calls loudly in the
winding lanes
And you must seek Christ there.
Your pilgrim heart
shall urge you one pace beyond
and love shall be your lantern flame.
– Raphael Consedine, pbvm -
* Denotes Our Way of Life – Constitutions of the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary