Founding Sisters
Founding Sisters 1911,
St Aloysius College Archives
Mother Claver Kenny
1847 – 1931
Anne Kenny was born of Irish parents in Argentina on 28 January 1847. She was one of the earliest young Argentinian women to join the new Irish Sisters of Mercy in 1862 and took the Religious Name of Claver.
Carmel Bourke, boarder and later Principal of St Aloysius College (1945-1953) recalled her memories of Mother Claver Kenny:
Like all the other Sisters she was bi-lingual, speaking fluent Spanish and English. Sister Claver was highly esteemed by her Community, elected as Assistant to Mother Evangelista several years before the Sisters left Buenos Aires. She was chosen to accompany Mother Evangelista on her visit to Ireland in 1879, to seek guidance for the future of the troubled Congregation from the Superior of Baggot Street and the Archbishop of Dublin.
After the Sisters came to Adelaide, Mother Evangelista, their Foundress and Superior since 1856, died suddenly in 1885. Her Irish companion and co-foundress, Mother Ligouri Griffin, was then elected Superior in her place; but when she also died unexpectedly the small congregation was left without the experienced guidance of these great Dublin women. Another election was held and four of the Argentinian-born Sisters were now called on to take over the administration of the new Adelaide foundation.
Mother Claver was one of the four and for the next thirty years she continued to hold a place in the government of the Congregation as either Assistant or Mistress of Novices. This gives some indication of the high esteem in which the Sisters held her.
Mother Claver taught in the Adelaide Mercy Schools throughout these years, but when Carmel Bourke met her in 1920, she was an elderly nun and had retired from active duties. She was a kind and gentle person, a familiar sight, as she liked to wander down to the school and chat to the boarders.
A kind and gentle person, a familiar sight, as she liked to wander down to the school and chat to the boarders.
Mother Claver Kenny had returned to Argentina in 1901, accompanied by Mother Clare Murphy, to obtain her inheritance. She brought back a postulant, Rose Kenny, the niece of Mother Claver, who became Sister Margaret Mary. Margaret Mary was the last of the Argentinians to die in Adelaide in 1966.
The Sisters received a hearty reception in Argentina in 1901. They discovered a thriving Mercy Order, with the number of convents increasing with new, beautiful and substantial structures. The trip provided another opportunity to study education in Argentina, England and Ireland, as all three countries had introduced new systems.
One of the highlights of this twelve-month visit was a private audience in Rome, with Pope, Leo XIII. They conversed quite freely in Spanish, the pope making enquiries about the Mercy works in Australia and showing great interest in all, especially education. The two women were much impressed with his lively personality and fatherly manner. They were given a rare privilege of a visit to the Vatican gardens, library, and many magnificent rooms. All of this was related to the Sisters, and much of it to the school children, on their return.
Mother Mary Claver Kenny died on 23 September 1931, at the age of eighty-four, a much-venerated person. She is buried in West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide.
Compiled by Sr Mary-Anne Duigan
Edited by Jacqui Jury, Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning) 2024
References
Bourke, C. (1991). Some early recollections of Angas Street (from 1920 to 1954). St Aloysius College.
Gayle, F. (Ed.). (2000). Making space: women and education at St Aloysius College 1880-2000. St Aloysius College.
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