Founding stories

Founding Story

All our Archdiocesan schools are encouraged to embrace their founding story and the formation opportunities that religious orders now offer to school staff. The charism of each founding story belongs to the whole Church, and the charism of every founder shines brightly in the special way they reflect the person and gospel of Jesus. We are all called to this.

Sisters of Mercy

The Brisbane Sisters of Mercy is a group of Catholic women. As followers of Jesus, Sisters of Mercy understand their mission as participating in God's mission of mercy. Their inspiration is drawn from Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831.
Catherine recognised and responded to the needs of those who were marginalised and oppressed by the unjust social attitudes and practices of the day.

For more about Catherine McAuley, Adderton House and Mercy Place:

Visit Sisters of Mercy or Mercy Education

Sisters of St Joseph

The Sisters of St Joseph were founded in Penola, South Australia in 1866 by an Australian woman Mary MacKillop, and an English priest Reverend Julian E Tenison Woods. From the beginning the Sisters have lived among people, sharing daily life and responding to the needs of the day. Held in God’s hospitable heart they draw strength to respond to places of violence, fear and insecurity in our world. They walk as one with people and with trust in God's providence listening again and again for the cry of the poor, responding in a way that reveals the hospitable heart of God.

For more about Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods, Mary MacKillop Place (North Sydney), Villa Maria Spirituality Centre (Fortitude Valley), and Good Grief (Grief Assistance and Education Program):

Visit: Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart or Mary MacKillop Today

Presentation Sisters

The Presentation Society of Australia is a federation of six autonomous Presentation Congregations. Presentation Sisters are impelled by the Gospel and the spirit of their foundress Nano Nagle to be compassionate and just in all relationships.

For more about Nano Nagle, Prayer Resources and Justice Jottings:

Visit: Presentation Sisters or Nagle Education Alliance Australia

Franciscan Sisters and Brothers

Franciscan spirituality finds its source in the life, experience and vision of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Visit: Franciscan Schools Australia

Good Samaritan Sisters

Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Rule of St Benedict, Good Samaritan Sisters live a communal way of life

committed to seeking God and responding as neighbour to those in need. With faith and humility, they endeavour to love their neighbour wherever she or he may be found.

VIisit: Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict or Good Samaritan Education

Christian Brothers

The Christian Brothers continue the work begun by Edmund Rice in Ireland in the 1800's. Edmund's vision is built around ideas of liberating people from what holds them back and building up a community of justice.

Visit: Christian Brothers Oceania Province or Edmund Rice Education Australia

Marist Brothers

The Marist Brothers is an international Religious order of the Catholic Church founded by a French Priest, St Marcellin Champagnat, in 1817.

The mission given by St Marcellin to his followers was to “make Jesus Christ known and loved”.

Visit: Marist Brothers or Marist Schools Australia

De La Salle Brothers

The De La Salle brothers were founded in France at the end of the seventeenth century by Jean Baptiste De La Salle (1651-1719). The purpose of the De La Salle Brothers is to meet the educational and welfare needs of young people, especially the poor. The Brothers live their Catholic faith through the values of love, compassion, justice and belief in the human dignity of each person.

Visit: Lasallian District of Australia

Jesuit Fathers and Brothers

Jesuits walk in the footsteps of our founder, St Ignatius of Loyola, and serve Christ through the Catholic Church. Our work in service of this mission takes us to the frontiers of our world – the places where cultures meet, where new enterprises are launched and where new ideas are debated.

Visit: Australian Jesuits

Dominican Charism

The hallmark of Dominican Charism (spirituality) is preaching, a point that is evident in the fact that St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (OP). St Dominic oriented everything he did toward authentically imitating Christ. He knew in his own age that only a well- educated person who lives humbly, charitably, and uprightly could b transmit the life of Christ to the world. Domincan spirituality, therefore, emphasises study and education and genuine community underpinn by deep prayer.

Visit: Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia

Sisters of St Brigid (Brigidines)

In 1883, six sisters from Mountrath, Ireland set sail for Australia to found

the first Brigidine convent in Coonamble, New South Wales. From ther other foundations were made in the Dioceses of Sydney, Bathurst, Canberra Goulburn, Perth and Brisbane. Brigidine spirituality is inspired by the person of Jesus and the vision of Brigid of Kildare and Daniel Delany. It seeks to engage with the issues of our time, stand in solidarity with the oppressed and strives to build a more inclusive community.

Visit: Brigidine Sisters

Carmelite Charism

The Carmelite charism is a way of following Christ with total dedication. Carmelites do this by seeking to form contemplative communities at the service of God’s people in whose midst they live. Fraternity, service and contemplation are therefore essential values for all Carmelites. Prayer and contemplation for the Carmelite are not private matters between the individual and God but are to be shared with others since the charism is given for the whole world. Therefore, an emphasis is given in the Order on the ministry of teaching prayer and giving spiritual direction.

Visit: Carmelites Australia