MSHR Foundation Day 2025

Foundation Day Message to the Sisters

"Photo of MSHR Congregational Leader"
Sr Franca Onyibor, Congregational Leader

Sr Franca the congregational leader marks the 101st anniversary of the congregation, celebrating the sisters’ dedication worldwide and encouraging them to deepen their ministry of presence. 

She reflects on the joy of the centenary celebrations, inviting them to embrace the ongoing jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” by witnessing hope in their communities. 

She also urges prayers for Pope Francis’s recovery and echoes his call to journey in hope while caring for the marginalised, including migrants and refugees.

She pointed out key updates, which include the 2024 General Chapter’s focus on synodality, trauma healing, and strategic growth. Sisters in Cameroon have begun trauma care initiatives, and efforts are underway to expand support to other regions. The Organisational Capacity Assessment is progressing and is crucial for

future funding.

The much-anticipated centenary documentary is near completion, while the Generalate’s move to Killeshandra House, Cavan, will begin in April. The letter also celebrates 15 Jubilarians and provides every sister with a copy of The Second Burial of Bishop Shanahan to 

reconnect with their Founder’s spirit.

She expresses solidarity with sisters facing political shifts in the USA, conflict zones, and global injustices, reaffirming the congregation’s mission for peace and justice. The Nonviolent Communication (NVC) program in Nigeria has fostered reconciliation 

across diverse groups.

Ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8), she calls for renewed action on gender equality. She closes with a blessing from Bishop Joseph Shanahan, wishing every sister a richly blessed Foundation Day as they step forward in faith and hope.

The Foundation

The Foundation

"Photo of the Dominican Mothers"
The Four Dominican Sisters and the Founder Bishop Shanahan, CSSp

The congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), founded in 1924 by Bishop Shanahan began with seven women, three of whom had been lay missionaries at St. Joseph Girls’ School in Calabar, Nigeria. Bishop Shanahan wanted to empower women in Southern Nigeria so MSHR was established in Drumully House, near Killeshandra Co. Cavan, Ireland on March 7, 1924.

Foundation Day, 7 March 1924

Seated: Agnes Ryan, Bishop Shanahan CSSp, Ellen Burns. Standing: Georgina O’ Dwyer, Christina Shannon, Fr. P. J. Whitney, Nora Leddy, Veronica Hasson, Elizabeth Ryan.

 The Seven women were mentored by the Dominican Sisters in Killeshandra, Dublin. Four Dominican Sisters – Mother Xavier O’Connor, Aquinas McSwiggan, Ursula Cullen, and Anastasia Hickey were assigned to guide the New Order in Cavan in February 1924.

 

The Dominican Sisters remained with the Holy Rosary Sisters for ten years until 1934. In the following decades, MSHR expanded rapidly both in membership and mission locations serving fifteen countries in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. 

"Photo of Dominican Prioress"
M Colmcille Flynn OP, Prioress of Cabra Dominican Convent
"Photo of First Mshr Formation Directress"
Mother Aquinas McSwiggan OP
"Photo of First Superior of MSHR at Foundation"
Mother M Xavier O'Connor OP, First Superior 1924-1933 and Bishop Shanahan CSSp
"Photo of Dominican Sister Associated with MSHR"
M Ursula Cullen OP (Left)
"Photo of Dominican Sister Associated with MSHR"
Sr Anastasia Hickey OP