England & Scotland

Inspired by our foundress Venerable Mary Aikenhead and her love for the poor and vulnerable in society, Sisters continue to support their local Parish community by their presence at the celebration of the Eucharist, bringing Communion to those at home and in care, by listening and providing links within the Parish family group.

Following in the spirit of Venerable Mary Aikenhead, our sisters founded a number of Hospices in England and Scotland in the last century, to provide love and care for those who were terminally ill. We have in recent years withdrawn from all statutory and governance roles in the Hospices and a number of our sisters continue to volunteer pastorally within our former Hospices in England and Scotland.

Venerable Mary Aikenhead, our Foundress had great compassion for the poor and vulnerable in society. As a Community we remain deeply committed to serving the poor and marginalised in our various ministries, wherever we live. Our retired sisters, who have devoted their lives to caring for others, working in areas such as education, health care, parish ministry, chaplaincy and pastoral work. The sisters continue to be very interested and support the ministries of the Congregation by their prayer and intercession.

"We must pray for each other and keep praising the Eternal with cheerful hearts" VMA

"We are bound to pray fervently and try by all means in our power to obtain Divine Aid for each other” VMA

Human trafficking involves the recruitment or movement of people for exploitation by the use of threat, force, fraud, or the abuse of vulnerability. Trafficking is a crime that can occur across international borders or within a country. It often crosses multiple geographic and legal boundaries, this description is taken from; - Human Trafficking, Migrant Health Guide: published on GOV.UK website
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/human-trafficking-migrant-health-guide

Men, women and children may be trafficked for various purposes. This can lead to modern slavery in various sectors of the economy for example, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, domestic servitude, forced begging and petty theft and sexual exploitation.

As Community we express our ongoing commitment by working with the Medaille Trust, an Intercongregational Charity dedicated to the provision of Safe Housing for victims of Trafficking. Our sisters support the plight of trafficked people by raising public awareness and supporting campaigns to inform and change Government policy.

Refugees are people who have fled their countries to escape conflict, violence, or persecution and are seeking safety in another country and are entitled to international protection- taken from the UNHCR website (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) - https://www.unhcr.org/uk/

Within the UK, Detention Centres or Immigration Removal Centres are used to house those awaiting a decision, as to whether they are eligible for asylum in the UK. One of our Sisters visits an Immigration Centre regularly, which is very much appreciated and welcomed by those, who are often young and alone, waiting while their life is on hold. Sisters continue to support asylum seekers and refugees by prayer and raising public awareness.

Through our General Chapter gatherings, the Religious Sisters of Charity have long identified the Care of our Common Home as a priority for us, we continue to explore ways of making this a reality in our lives. Climate change impacts harshly on the lives of many people, who have to face the injustices of poverty, conflict and an unstable climate.

We have committed ourselves to promote Care of our Common Home by advocacy and taking whatever action we can to prevent the advance of climate change, the depletion of the earth’s resources and the pollution of our planet.

Our sisters support the work of CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) which encourages and support efforts by parishes to promote the health of the planet through their ‘Live Simply’ Award Campaign.