100 Years of Service in Australia

The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul will this year celebrate 100 years of service in Australia, marking a century since the first Sisters arrived in Orange, New South Wales, at the invitation of the Most Reverend Bishop John O’Farrell of the Bathurst Diocese.

The story of the Daughters of Charity in Australia began in 2026 when Bishop O’Farrell, during his ad limina apostolorum visit to Rome, requested the presence of the Sisters of “the Good Monsieur Vincent” to support the pastoral and social needs of his rapidly growing diocese. Four Sisters, Sr Valentine, Sr McGuire, Sr Fagen and Sr Leonard were missioned from the Daughters of Charity in Mill Hill, London, to undertake his call.

Departing Tilbury Docks aboard the Cathay on 7 October 1926, the Sisters travelled 57 days by sea before landing in Perth. Their journey continued across the continent for another 37 days until they reached Orange, NSW, where they established their first Australian community and began their ministry of service to those experiencing poverty and hardship.

Over the century that followed, the Daughters of Charity expanded their presence and ministries across the country; establishing schools, orphanages, community services, aged care and pastoral outreach programs shaped by the Vincentian virtues of humility, simplicity and charity.

The Centenary celebrations, planned for November this year will include liturgies, community gatherings, historical exhibitions, an immersive multimedia experience and the release of commemorative items. These events will honour not only the pioneering Sisters but also the lay collaborators who helped a wide range of missions flourish, many of which continue today.

“Across 100 years, much has changed – from the way the Sisters dress to the world we live in, but the call to serve has not, said Sr Therese Haywood, Local Coordinator of the Daughters of Charity, Province of Rosalie Rendu, Australian Area. “The needs of people today are not so different from those our founding Sisters responded to with courage and faith. As we celebrate this centenary, we give thanks for God’s faithfulness throughout our history and look ahead with hope, trusting that the Spirit will continue to raise up people to respond to the needs of our world in new and faithful ways.”

As the Daughters of Charity look to the present - where poverty, vulnerability and exclusion persist in society - they carry forward the experience and lessons learned over a century of service. These stories, foundations and faithful commitments are preserved for future generations who will continue the good works entrusted to us, guided by the same Vincentian spirit of love, service and accompaniment.

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