Society of the Sacred Advent
Encyclopedia
The Society of the Sacred Advent is an Anglican religious order
founded at Brisbane, Australia, in 1892 by Caroline Grace Millicent Short (1839–1922), and still active in that city.
, England. She came to Australia on 9 December 1892 at the request of the Reverend Montagu John Stone-Wigg
, Vicar
and Canon
Residentiary of St John’s Pro-Cathedral, who saw the need for an Anglican religious order for women in Brisbane.
In its early days the Society of the Sacred Advent focused on ministering to the needs of women and children, establishing several schools and children’s homes throughout Queensland. In 1895 the Sisters opened a boarding school for girls in Nundah, at the site of a former boys' school, known as Eton High School. On the 8th of July, 1910, under the guidance of Mother Emma, the Sisters moved into their current residence at Community House in Albion.
of the order is St John the Baptist
.
; both are for girls only. Although the Sisters are no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the schools, two Sisters remain active on each of the School Councils. The Sisters also conduct regular quiet days and retreats which are open to members of the public. Attendees can enjoy a day of quiet prayer in the Sister's Chapel and the beautiful gardens surrounding Community House. A traditional labyrinth
is also available for use. Details for quiet days and retreats may be found in 'Focus', the newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
.
In recent years, the Society has received two new vocations; Sister Rosalind Miriam was admitted as a novice
in 2007, and Sister Moira Grace in 2006. Sister Moira has since taken full vows at a ceremony held in the Sister's Chapel on 26 February 2008; and Sister Rosalind Miriam most recently on 2 February 2010. On 11 July 2010, the Sisters also celebrated 100 years in their current residence, Community House.
Anglican religious order
Anglican religious orders are communities of laity and/or clergy in the Anglican Communion who live under a common rule of life. The members of religious orders take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and lead a common life of work and prayer...
founded at Brisbane, Australia, in 1892 by Caroline Grace Millicent Short (1839–1922), and still active in that city.
History
Known as Sister Caroline Amy and, later, Mother Caroline, Caroline Grace Millicent Short started her religious life at the Community of St John Baptist in ClewerClewer
Clewer is an ecclesiastical parish and region of Windsor making up three wards of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.-History:...
, England. She came to Australia on 9 December 1892 at the request of the Reverend Montagu John Stone-Wigg
Montagu John Stone-Wigg
The Rt Rev Montagu John Stone-Wigg was an Anglican Colonial Bishop who in the last decade of the 19th century and the first one of the 20th.. He was born on 4 October 1861 and educated at Winchester and University College, Oxford. Ordained in 1885, he was the first Canon at St John's Cathedral,...
, Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
and Canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
Residentiary of St John’s Pro-Cathedral, who saw the need for an Anglican religious order for women in Brisbane.
In its early days the Society of the Sacred Advent focused on ministering to the needs of women and children, establishing several schools and children’s homes throughout Queensland. In 1895 the Sisters opened a boarding school for girls in Nundah, at the site of a former boys' school, known as Eton High School. On the 8th of July, 1910, under the guidance of Mother Emma, the Sisters moved into their current residence at Community House in Albion.
Character
As expressed on the Anglican Religious Communities website, The Society of the Sacred Advent exists "for the glory of God and for the service of His Church in preparation for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ". To this end, the Sisters devote themselves to God in community under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, leading a life of prayer, silence and work. The Sisters' aim is "to point the way to Jesus in our own time, to a world which has largely lost touch with spiritual realities and is caught up in despair, loneliness and fear". The patron saintPatron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the order is St John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
.
Current life and work
The Society has two schools located in Brisbane, Australia - St Margaret's and St Aidan'sSt Aidan's Anglican Girls' School
St Aidan’s Anglican Girls' School is an independent, Anglican, day school for girls, located in Corinda, a western suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia...
; both are for girls only. Although the Sisters are no longer involved in the day-to-day running of the schools, two Sisters remain active on each of the School Councils. The Sisters also conduct regular quiet days and retreats which are open to members of the public. Attendees can enjoy a day of quiet prayer in the Sister's Chapel and the beautiful gardens surrounding Community House. A traditional labyrinth
Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
is also available for use. Details for quiet days and retreats may be found in 'Focus', the newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane is based in Brisbane, Australia. The diocesan bishop's seat is St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. The current Archbishop of Brisbane is the Most Reverend Phillip Aspinall, who is also the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.The diocese stretches from the inner...
.
In recent years, the Society has received two new vocations; Sister Rosalind Miriam was admitted as a novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
in 2007, and Sister Moira Grace in 2006. Sister Moira has since taken full vows at a ceremony held in the Sister's Chapel on 26 February 2008; and Sister Rosalind Miriam most recently on 2 February 2010. On 11 July 2010, the Sisters also celebrated 100 years in their current residence, Community House.
External links
- A Short Biography of Mother Emma SSA
- The History of St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School
- St Margaret's School Council (containing some information about and a photo of Sister Gillian SSA)
- Photos of The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council 2006 taken at the SSA Community House, Brisbane
- Home Truths (a theological article written by Sister Gillian SSA)