MSHR FOUNDER
Bishop Joseph Shanahan was born in the beautiful valley of Glankeen, Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary in Ireland to Daniel Shanahan and Margaret Walsh on 4 June 1871.
Joseph made the first profession at Easter 1898 and was ordained a Holy Ghost priest (CSSp) on 22 April 1900 in Blackrock College, Dublin. In 1902, he was sent on mission to Southern Nigeria to serve the people there.
On 28 September 1905, at age 34, Joseph was appointed Prefect Apostolic of Southern Nigeria, and on 6 June 1920, he was ordained Bishop and Vicar Apostolic. He fostered evangelisation through schools, which led him to found the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary in 1924 to continue his legacy.
He died on Christmas Day 1943 in Nairobi, Kenya. Motto: Lord that I may See
Bishop Shanahan, said to the first seven postulants of the Holy Rosary Sisters on Foundation Day 7 March 1924:
“There are before you, as before all missionaries, sufferings, and trials.
But remember that it is Christ who sweats in our sweat, who burns in our fever, who aches in our tired limbs, who continues His suffering in ours. You do not know the millions of souls that will be saved because you are here today- because you are beginning a new Sisterhood in Christ.”
Be a Missionary and make a difference in the world. Are you ready to answer the Call?
Thank you for reaching out to the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary with your
prayer request. Our communities worldwide are presenting your request in our daily prayers.
God bless you.