A LITTLE bit of history was made last week in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, when six sisters from the Poor Clare community in Graiguecullen left their convent to attend a huge religious service.

Bishop Jim Moriarty invited the gathering of over 200 men and women from all over the diocese so that they could celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life.

The congregation was like a who's who in religious life with representatives from the Mercy and Presentation Sisters, the Patrician and Christian Brothers, Dominicans, Jesuits and members of St. Patrick's Missionary Society.

The Brigidine Sisters, Carmelites, Divine Word Missionaries, Capuchins, Holy Family of Bordeaux Sisters, Daughters of Mary and Joseph and Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, St. John of God Sisters, were all present, too.

During the service prayers were offered in English, Irish, Slovak, Filipino and Ibo, reflecting the cultural richness that religious orders are currently bringing to the life of the diocese.

The service also included a talk by Sr. Margaret MacCurtain, a Dominican Sister and historian, who spoke of the reality and challenge of religious life in the 21st century.

The evening concluded with an invitation to join Bishop Jim Moriarty in the parish centre for refreshments, giving the nuns and priests an chance to catch up on gossip and old times.

- Elizabeth LEE