Mother Francis of Rome

One day when I was nineteen years old, I was going to see my kind friend, Mother Frances of Rome at Mount Magdala, Good Shepherd order of nuns, when I had finished work in the Nazareth House kitchen, Poor Sisters of Nazareth, I did not have to start work until 4pm that Sunday. Sister Simeon made me wash the floors of the kitchen, by myself. She sent the other 5 girls out. I tried to hurry, because we had ordered a blue star taxi, to go to the other convent. It was a long way to walk, to have any time with the kind nun. When I finished work, I ran up the stairs to have a bath and get ready.

The work was very bard, we had to carry big cans of milk from the back door to the fridge. The milk cans were twice the size of the cream cans.

I had not seen my friend since I was ten years old, by the time I had finished work, the other two girls had already left. I had not brought my bike then, so I walked and ran there. I got there at 3pm. I was so unhappy, because I thought that I might not see her. She came to the door. OH! how I cried. The joy of seeing her was too much for me.

All I ever wanted was a kind word to make me happy. I could see her face light up and see a warm glow about her. She was so kind. When I say kind, I mean that she was nice to me. I felt warm inside when ever she was around us. She was so wonderful, so sweet and so gentle. I thought that her gentleness would soon, take over the bad, but it did not work like that.

You were the kindest person to me, when l was a Little girl. When we were told that you were coming over, I would sit at the window and watch out for you. As soon as I saw you I was off: No one could stop me. I would run along the corridor, down two flights of stairs, around the corner, then out of the, two big double glass doors, across the lawn, right into your arms.

Then I would look at your face and see you smile. OH! Mother. You did not know what joy you brought me. Your face was like an Angels, I felt safe with you around me, for the hour that you looked after us. You brought Happiness and Laughter into my life.

I never got any present for my birthday or Christmas. But I did not miss them. Just to see you there, I knew that no one would hurt me.

With you looking after us , I could Play. laugh. sing! and dance. You were my hope later on in life. I would always think of you and the good thoughts of YOU would help me. You were my happiness. and my laughter. Thank you so very much for your loving! kind hand of hope.

April 24th 1965: I went and saw you on my wedding day, you came to the front door of Mount Magdala and as I use to do as a child, I run to you, and you put both arms around me and hugged me. Both of us dressed in white. You looking like an Angel, a bride of Jesus Christ, and I, all in white, as a bride of my husband, Brian. You had not change, so sweet and gentle, always ready to comfort me with your kind words. Two Bride dressed in white.

You Mother are much blessed by your good deeds and kindness you showed to us little children under your care. You were then and still are an Angel to me and I will always remember you with love and happiness.

Thank you so much Mother for all you did for me and many other girls who knew you while in the Orphanage.