Foundress Nano Nagle

Nano was born into a wealthy catholic family, and had the advantage of catholic education in her own home and in France. She was assured also of a comfortable future. But Nano heard the call of God in the cry of the poor, condemned as they were to ignorance, superstition and loss of faith. Conscious of her own weakness, she resisted the call, but, after much suffering and heart-searching. Nano responded. Once given, her response was lived out in her wholehearted dedication to the cause of catholic education and to the relief of misery and social ills wherever she discovered them.
While Nano s immediate mission was confined to her native city, Cork, Ireland, her understanding of mission was universal:

"For I can assure you, my schools are beginning to be of service to a great many parts of the world... my views are not for one object alone. If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe, I would willingly do all in my power."