Society of Saint Margaret
Encyclopedia
The Society of Saint Margaret (SSM) is an order of women in the Anglican Church. The Sisters of St. Margaret were founded in 1855 by Dr. John Mason Neale
at Rotherfield
, England. As their numbers increased, they moved into their first convent, Saint Margaret's in East Grinstead
, Sussex. The society began its overseas activities in 1873.
The Sisters' work is the worship of God, expressed in their life of prayer and service. The order was originally dedicated to nursing the sick. At Chiswick
they care for elderly women in a nursing home http://www.stmarysconvent.co.uk/index.htm and have a guest house. In Sri Lanka, the Sisters run a retreat house, a children's home (mainly for those orphaned in the ongoing civil strife), a hostel for young women, a home for elderly people, and are involved in parish work and church embroidery, from St Margaret's Convent, Polwatta
, Colombo
.
The society had a difficult start. Many Anglicans in the mid-19th century were still very suspicious of anything suggestive of Roman Catholicism. Once Neale was attacked and mauled at a funeral of one of the Sisters. However, his basic goodness eventually won the confidence of many who had fiercely opposed the order, and the Society of St Margaret survived and prospers to the present day.
Mother Cynthia Clare SSM is the present Mother Superior. She assumed office 2 March 2000, and is based at Hooke Hall, 250 High Street, Uckfield
, East Sussex, TN22 1EN, UK
John Mason Neale
John Mason Neale was an Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer.-Life:Neale was born in London, his parents being the Revd Cornelius Neale and Susanna Neale, daughter of John Mason Good...
at Rotherfield
Rotherfield
Rotherfield is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. It is one of the largest parishes in East Sussex. There are three villages in the parish: Rotherfield, Mark Cross, and Eridge.-Etymology:...
, England. As their numbers increased, they moved into their first convent, Saint Margaret's in East Grinstead
East Grinstead
East Grinstead is a town and civil parish in the northeastern corner of Mid Sussex, West Sussex in England near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders. It lies south of London, north northeast of Brighton, and east northeast of the county town of Chichester...
, Sussex. The society began its overseas activities in 1873.
The Sisters' work is the worship of God, expressed in their life of prayer and service. The order was originally dedicated to nursing the sick. At Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
they care for elderly women in a nursing home http://www.stmarysconvent.co.uk/index.htm and have a guest house. In Sri Lanka, the Sisters run a retreat house, a children's home (mainly for those orphaned in the ongoing civil strife), a hostel for young women, a home for elderly people, and are involved in parish work and church embroidery, from St Margaret's Convent, Polwatta
Polwatta
Polwatta is a village in Sri Lanka. It is located within Central Province.-External links:*...
, Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
The society had a difficult start. Many Anglicans in the mid-19th century were still very suspicious of anything suggestive of Roman Catholicism. Once Neale was attacked and mauled at a funeral of one of the Sisters. However, his basic goodness eventually won the confidence of many who had fiercely opposed the order, and the Society of St Margaret survived and prospers to the present day.
Mother Cynthia Clare SSM is the present Mother Superior. She assumed office 2 March 2000, and is based at Hooke Hall, 250 High Street, Uckfield
Uckfield
-Development:The local Tesco has proposed the redevelopment of the central town area as has the town council. The Hub has recently been completed, having been acquired for an unknown figure, presumed to be about half a million pounds...
, East Sussex, TN22 1EN, UK
External links
- Society of St Margaret (East Grinstead)
- Society of St Margaret, Boston (US site)
- St Saviour's Priory, HaggerstonHaggerstonHaggerston is an area and a electoral ward in the London Borough of Hackney, in northeast London, UK. It is bounded by Hackney Road on the south, Kingsland Road on the west, Middleton Road on the north with London Fields and Broadway Market on the east...
, London