Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart

Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart, formerly Mary Mahon,  was born in Cappa, Woodford, Co Galway on 13th January 1856.  She was an aunt of Delia Mahon who was born in 1892.  Mary attended Primary School in Woodford.  Her older brothers, Patrick and Tom emigrated to America and some years later, when Mary had finished school, they brought her to America.

In America, she joined the Order of the Good Shepherd and took the name of Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart in Religion.

Photograph of Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart taken after her profession.  Photo courtesy Marty Mahon

Sr Mary lived and worked as a nun for 68 years in the United States until her death in Brooklyn, New York on 10th December 1941 at the age of 85.  She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

The grave in Brooklyn Cemetery where Sr Mary was buried.  Photo courtesy: Marty Mahon

Sr Mary kept in contact with her home in Cappa throughout the years and when she was twenty eight years of age she wrote a special poem to honour her own mother in Cappa, which she had framed in the United States and sent to Ireland.

This framed poem is preserved and honoured in her home in Cappa.   Courtesy: Marty Mahon

To My Mother

These pansies thoughts sweet emblem

I send to a dear land far away

I culled them from our Lady’s mound

In her own sweet month of May.

I’ve watched them bud and blossom

And their varied hues unfold

They brought to mind the mystic flower

The prophets had foretold.

The Virgin Lily of Israel

That bloomed so sweet and fair

While the perfume of her virtues

Embalmed the desert air.

Please accept them dearest Mother

Though withered they may be

My love and fond affection

They will bear across the sea.

To my childhood’s home in Ireland

The loveliest spot I know

Where I prayed at Mary’s altar

Eight and twenty years ago.

I dream about it often

And I think I see it now

As when I twined the wild flowers

To deck her snowy brow.

I pray to this dear Mother

Earnestly each day

To bless those dear and loved ones

In that island far away.

To bear them safe through every trial

Until this suffering life is o’er

Then we will meet in our Eternal Home

Where parting is no more.

From Mary

Sr M of the Sacred Heart