Our Story
Serving Godʼs Mission in Australia since 1945
Story of the Australian Province
In May 1944, 18 Holy Spirit Sisters, survivors of the Japanese prison camps and death ships in Papua New Guinea, arrived in Brisbane. They joined five other sisters who had arrived earlier after trekking for months across the mountains and valleys of Papua New Guinea. Their bodies were sick and weary, their spirits sad and laden with heavy memories. They were grateful to be alive and still held the will to continue living and serving. Sadly, 54 of their Sisters died tragically during the World War II conflict in Papua New Guinea.
These Sisters were from many different countries of the world – all with a fire in their hearts to share with others the love of the God they each knew personally.
Then Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, James Duhig, invited the Sisters to remain in Brisbane and open a Novitiate house. He offered them Raff Farm – a property located in Aspley and originally owned by Thomas Carseldine. There the Sisters set up their first Holy Spirit Convent in Australia and quickly embedded themselves into the local community connecting with the local people and becoming vital contributors to Christianity within Brisbane’s northside region. It was the beginning many years of active ministry…
Our story today
Our Sisters work in various ministries that include work among our Indigenous people, with refugees and migrants, prisoners, parish pastoral work, Pastoral Care, School Chaplaincy, retreats and spirituality.
Though few in number, our communities are currently located in Carseldine and Inala (Brisbane), Townsville and Palm Island (North Queensland), Sydney and Melbourne.
Sisters have also served in various countries around the world; and the Province includes Sisters from many different countries.
We, Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters, are an international religious community rooted in Trinitarian Spirituality. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we work with dedicated people proclaiming the Gospel of God’s love, justice and peace. In dialogue with peoples of diverse cultures and traditions, we minister and journey together promoting human dignity and life-giving relationships.
As an international group of women, we are called to be immersed in the life of the Triune God, committed to sharing God’s compassionate love with all.
As a Province, we are constantly challenged to journey with those on the margins of society and care for all creation.
Commemorating 75 years
To celebrate our 75th year serving Godʼs Mission in Australia, we have produced a wonderful account of our journey. From humble beginnings, our Province has grown to become a defining presence in Australia and beyond.
A digital copy (PDF) is available upon request, please visit our Contact page.
