The Sisters of Charity of Australia (Religious Sisters of Charity, or rsc) is a congregation of Roman Catholic women religious who have served the people of Australia since 1838. Initially part of the congregation named the Religious Sisters of Charity, founded by Mary Aikenhead in Dublin in the early 19th century, the Sisters of Charity of Australia have operated independent of the congregation in Ireland since 1842. Arriving in Australia on the last day of 1838, the Sisters who volunteered to come to Australia from Ireland were the first women religious to set foot on Australian soil.[1]
The Spirituality of the Sisters of Charity derives from the Spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the vision of Mary Aikenhead, their foundress. In addition to the three vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, the Sisters of Charity take a fourth vow, of Service of the Poor. For the Sisters of Charity, 'Service of the Poor' denotes not only the alleviation of a present affliction by immediate action, but also includes having a "preferential option for the poor".[2]
The ministries of the Sisters of Charity have been quite varied in nature from the beginning of their founding. From acting as chaplains in Prisons to managing hospitals and acting to conserve environments, they have been quick to move to where they have been most needed, and to where they have been of the greatest service to the poor. One of their most prominent ministries has been the establishment of St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney in 1857, which they have administered ever since.
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