Known as the “Lady of the Lantern,” Nano carried her lantern through the dark streets of Cork City, Ireland, guiding the lost, the sick, the elderly and the marginalised.
Nano (full name Honora) Nagle was born in Ballygriffin, County Cork, Ireland in 1718. This was the period in Irish history when the English had imposed the oppressive Penal Laws, which severely limited the Irish people. The Irish were denied access economically, politically, socially, and educationally to the rights and means that would have raised them from the imposed poverty and oppression. It was a crime of treason (punishable by death) to educate the Irish and it was forbidden to practise the Roman Catholic faith. Because of her family’s position and wealth, Nano was sent to be educated in the Irish community then living in Paris.
According to Sister Rose Forest, PBVM, one biographer of Nano, her “stay in the midst of Irish Parisian society was brief, but during this time an incident took place which has become a classic episode in the Presentation story. One morning the charming, wealthy, and beautiful Miss Nagle…was returning from an all-night ball. As her carriage rattled over the cobblestones of a silent street, she saw a small group of poor working people waiting in
front a church…for the door to open for early Mass. The contrast between their useful lives and her own empty one devoted to pleasure made a lasting impression on the girl of twenty-two”.
Returning to Ireland, other events lead Nano to consider a way that she could help the poor she saw everyday in Cork and on the family estate. Distressed by the ignorance of the Irish in both faith and academics, she opened her first school in 1754 with an enrollment of thirty-five girls in a two room cabin. This began her great work of education and as some historians have noted her important work in saving Irish culture. Without regard for her own safety, she selflessly educated the children during the day and visited and nursed the sick by
night. As a result, she became known in Cork as the Lady with the Lantern, the symbol of the Sisters of the Presentation worldwide. Today the people of Ireland, especially in Cork, who attribute their freedom to her, revere her. Eventually, realising the need for a group to continue her work after her death, Nano founded the Sisters of the Presentation on December 24, 1775.
Nano died of tuberculosis, Monday, April 26, 1784. According to Sister Rose’s account, “On her deathbed Mother Nagle gave the daughters the following injunction: ‘Love one another as you have hitherto done’. As her legacy she was bequeathed to them the treasure which she prized above all the wealth of the earth – the love of the poor of Jesus Christ. She bade her Sisters ‘Spread yourself for the poor.’ In years since Nano’s death, the Sisters of the Presentation have carried her spirit around the world in a variety of ministries. Presentation Sisters have been responsible for setting up many schools around Ireland and the world,
including Australia. The Sisters were also part of the original staff members of St Francis Xavier College, so recognising Nagel connects us to our beginnings.
Today, there are over 2,000 Presentation Sisters worldwide, carrying on the Mission
of Nano. Her recognition as one of the greatest women of Ireland derives from dedication to the poor and oppressed. Her mission between the cutting edge of the gospel and the challenge of her day inspires the Presentation Sisters to minister in joyful service, responding to current needs throughout the world in faithfulness to the gospel.
In 2003, Nano Nagel was declared the ‘greatest Irish person of all time’ and in 2013, Nano Nagel was declared Venerable by his His Holiness, Pope Francis. This announcement brings canonization of Nano Nagel one step closer as it is the second of four stages in the Canonisation Process.