About | History | The Brides of Christ 1932 – 1941
Brides of Christ at Holy Cross Convent were biblical ‘Valiant Women’
(Proverbs 31:10)
They were holy, prayerful, hard working, caring, happy and human.
4. Memories from a Holy Cross Convent Boarder
Sister Gertrude – her dark glasses always prevented boarders from knowing (for sure) if at study time they were being observed.
Sister Gerard – her discipline
Sister Joan – at the time we did not realise what a gentle lady she really was. Great exam results despite the unmusical efforts of her music theory class. She was quick tempered; flying music books were not uncommon.
M. di Pazzi – music, music, music… She could play anything put before her.
Sister Teresa – never gave up the old ‘habit’ and never gave up trying to turn Holy Cross girls into ladies.
M. Ursula – a gentle lady but commanding of respect.
Sister Geraldine – another great teacher but easily upset by mischievous boarders, especially when they carried on with the male botany students.
Sister Carmel – returned to us as a sister and she enriched our late night recreation dancing with her music.
M. Lawrence – very much the Reverend Mother… her demeanour had most of the students in awe but young Jimmy with a smart remark could put a smile on her face.
M. Stanislaus – The Reverend Mother… a remote figure of authority to young boarders whose misdemeanours were not serious enough to be brought before her.
M. General Columba – a VIP. A regular visitor to our Holy Cross Convent, students had mixed feelings about a private interview as we knew she was on the lookout for ‘vocations’.
Sister Anthony – talking to her chooks…and herself.
Sister Carthage – cheerfully busy in the dormitories
Sister Helena – dispensing glasses of warm ‘salts’ (with a slice of apple to kill the taste), and hot sudsy water for chilblained feet.
Sister Vincent – bent praying in the chapel.
Sister Monica – cream cloaks of nuns celebrating her funeral
M. Gertrude – being quiet in the corridor outside her sick room
M. Margaret – trying to calm boarders at late night study when the wind moaned through the garden trees.
Sister Patrick – taking mending sessions and trying to locate and hush the whistling boarders…so unladylike!
Sister Angela – sweet and gentle; no match for naughty girls. Both Sisters Angela and Patrick had beautiful Irish accents of the ‘real’ sisters.
Sister Fabian – friendly and full of fun! Remember her reading ‘Wind in the Willows’ to boarders under the trees by the tennis courts.
Sister Christopher – turning her famous steely stare on the boarder who, when leaving the study room, unthinkingly switched off the light…and…had to return to switch it on again!
M. Loyola – vigorous teaching methods, especially with French: “You should do your homework – so you ought!” as she thumped on the desk with her ruler, her book or her black belt.
M. Aloysius – a wonderful teacher and respected reverend mother. Trying to suppress laughter as she asked a boarder in disgrace what she found to write about a certain day boy. She had evidence of his literary skills (much to his Aunty Loyola’s anger!)
