Sisters Stories

We invite you to join us and meet some of our MMM Sisters and learn about them, their backgrounds, journey and impact on the world.

Since the early years when our MMM’s Founder Mother Mary Martin began the Congregation in 1937, the Sisters have been in the news and making headlines. Mainly because of our overseas work and pioneering spirit, the Sisters are often featured in news or media stories.

Here is a sample of some of the stories told about MMM Sisters in the news.    

Sister Sheila along with other walkers taking “Steps for Hope.”
Medical Missionaries of Mary’s new awareness event for Lent (Drogheda Life) 

The former Bakhita House, in Malden, Massachusetts, was home to human trafficking survivors
and the sisters from Boston congregations who helped them recover. >>> more

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MMMs are actively engaged in the delivery of services. This including the prevention or relief of sickness, disease or human suffering in various ways. We serve in over 11 countries. We assist with illness, diseases and social challenges unique to the specific location. We work with the local community to identify what most needs to be done. Then we build on the strengths of the existing resources. Objectives are set with goals to respond to the particular area and what impacts people there the most. No two locations services are exactly alike.  Change is always monitored and addressed.

Community Based Health Care

These varied and integrated services provided in the hospitals/clinics and
in outpatient delivery include but are not limited to:

• Immunisations/Vaccinations
• Antenatal & maternity care
• TB (Direct observation treatment)
• Laboratory services
• Nutrition clinics
• Rehabilitation and counseling clinics
• HIV/AIDS testing, referral and education
• Palliative care
• Counter Human trafficking services

• Pastoral care and home visits
• Hospital Chaplaincy
• Prison visits
• Counseling for Students
• Complementary Therapies
• Geriatric Care
• Gender and Race equality awareness
• Vesico Vaginal Fistula Rehabilition
• Youth Health

Not many people will hold on to an uncertain dream for twenty years, but that is what Marie Martin had to do before she was able to establish the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1937. 

The prelude to our story begins in Glenageary – Co. Dublin – on April 25 1892, the day the future foundress of MMM was born. From the vantage point of her happy childhood home, she could gaze out on Dublin Bay. From the busy harbour she could see the ships heading out to the big world beyond.

In 1914 the outbreak of World War I found her anxious to help in a wider field that just around her home circle. She trained as a volunteer nurse known as a V.A.D. and was assigned first to Malta. In France she nursed the wounded all through the terrible battle of the Somme in 1916. It was at this time that she saw the world’s need for healing and began to think of devoting her life to bringing comfort and health to others. She returned to Dublin and trained as a midwife.

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In 1921 she sailed for Nigeria at the request of the well-known Bishop Joseph Shanahan. She worked as a lay missionary in Calabar in the south-east of the country.

She saw the extent of people’s suffering from ill-health, and had special concern for mothers and their young infants. She felt that alone she could do little, but if she could establish a group of women who would commit themselves to this work, the situation could be changed.

She returned once more to Ireland with a view to recruiting others who would go back with her to Africa, but for many years she was dogged by ill-health and other obstacles. Eventually, by 1934 she was well enough and had found some pioneering companions, but at that time the Church would not permit women in religious life to engage in obstetrics and surgery – both of which were central to her vision of serving the peoples of Africa.

It took further patience as she made her vision known and waited for the rules to be changed. With her first companions she helped the Benedictine monks at Glenstal to establish their new boarding school for boys in return for spiritual direction. Then in 1936, her prayers were answered. The way was cleared for women religious to do full medical work. She and her first companions sailed for Nigeria in December that year. The necessary protocols to establish a new religious Congregation were being processed in Rome.

However, once again illness was to strike the Foundress. This time it was quite dramatic and it looked as if the whole venture would fizzle out. She was taken to the Government Hospital in Port Harcourt suffering from a very serious form of malaria. There were fears for her life, but it was there, on 4 April 1937, that she made her Profession of Vows. As soon as she was able to travel, she was booked to sail back to Europe, leaving her pioneering companions behind. Dr. Braithwaite shook his head as she left the hospital, saying, ‘Let me never see that woman back in Africa!’

Her health was always a concern but she lived until 27 January 1975. She died in Drogheda, Ireland, at the age of 82.

The PDF A Dream to Follow traces her life based on letters she wrote between 1915 and 1934 and her relationships with people who influenced and helped her in her formative years.

DOWNLOAD A DREAM TO FOLLOW

• Dealing with illness or surgery
• Feeling low and struggling
• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Caring for the needs of a loved one
• Stressed about the demands of life
• Feeling lonely or anxious
• Concerned about the wellbeing of the world

Lord, I may be well but many around me are sick.  I feel helpless to reach out and heal.  As each patient struggles to breathe, help them, Lord, through my breathing.  As I breathe in, may your love infuse me.  As I breathe out, let this love spread all around me.  In and out, in and out.  I breathe with and through you, Lord.

(Add image/graphic for each prayer) 

In Time of Stress

Lord, I can’t cope any more.  It is all just too much.  It is all coming on top of me.  Did you feel that way in the Garden of Gethsemani?  Help me, Lord, to step back.  Help me to take a deep breath and know that you are always with me.  I can rely on you, I trust in you.  Amen.

Facing Medical Tests

Lord, the future is unknown and uncertain.  I may have to face the fact that I am sick.  Give me the strength and courage to face the future, whatever it may bring.  Help those who are guiding me right now.  Help me and help my doctors make good choices.  I trust myself to your loving care.

When Feeling Lonely

Mary, my mother and my sister, when Jesus left Nazareth did you feel all alone?  That is how I feel today.   The loneliness weighs down my heart and leaves me fretting and a little bit anxious.  I know I can turn to you and tell you all my troubles.  You have carried so much more.  Be close to me and bring me close to your son, Jesus.

Fed Up

Lord, today I am just fed up.  I am restless and can’t settle to any small task.  Give me peace of mind so that I can think of others and not be self absorbed.  I want to do your work in this wide world of ours.  Give me serenity in body, mind and spirit.

Grieving

Lord, I can’t cry but there is a heaviness in my heart because of my loss.  I walk around in automatic pilot mode, smile and thank those who want to comfort me.  Inside I am screaming, “No, no, it is too much!”   Help me, Lord. Let me lean on you.  Give me strength just now when the pain is sharp. Let me put my hand in Yours.

The Open Door

Jesus, you are the open door. You stand there, between me and the outer world.  You invite me outside, to see and respond to the suffering of the world.  Help me see your face in the poor, the sick and the lonely.

Jesus, you are the open door.  You open up my inner world.  You invite me to let go of my worries and cares, my doubts and contradictions.  They escape into a wider space and gain perspective. Thank you, Jesus.

November

Lord, winter is coming.  It is cold and dark and all around me.  I see old, brown leaves and barren branches.  And yet – what is that?  New buds are forming already in the hedgerow.  Yes, I must face the death but you have given me already the promise of new life.  I thank you, Lord.

Advent

What was it like for you, Lord, growing in Mary’s womb?  Did you hear your mother’s heartbeat?  Did you hear your own?  Here I am, waiting for your birth, and yet you are already here.  Can you hear the heartbeat of the world?  Help me listen to you as I listen to others around me this day

To meet the needs of the people we serve, MMMs undergo professional training and development to attain or update skills. Ongoing organisational training and support is provided to the MMMs to assist them in facing challenges and enable them to deliver essential care to those most in need. Continuing professional development is essential to the delivery of our core mission.

In poor communities children and women are often targeted by human traffickers. Education and awareness workshops are offered to help keep people safe. In addition, counseling and rehabilitation services are offered to women who have been trafficked and need support in coping with trauma.

Economic inequality creates many social issues for women especially in single parent homes. Many programmes seek to address the issues of gender inequality in communities by creating empowerment opportunities and training.

Women are offered opportunities to learn vocational skills which can be income generating. Computer training, health services provider, hair dressing, tailoring, craft making and many more enterprising skills are being taught.

Overcoming gendered violence is also a major concern.