Clondalkin Village – Knockmitten – Clonburris
The history of the Clondalkin Carmel can be traced back to a near disaster at St. Joseph’s Carmelite Convent in Ranelagh in 1819.
On the night of March 10th. a soldier noticed smoke and flame coming from the convent, he roused the nuns. In the confusion one of the nuns, MARY STUART, in religion Sister FRANCES de SALES, panicked and fled into the adjoining fields. Unfortunately she was not found until the next morning and the shock and exposure brought on a disease which completely invalided her. Over the years her condition worsened, until by January 1823 it was obvious to all that death was near.
At that time miraculous results were being obtained by a young continental priest ALEXANDER, PRINCE of HOHENLOHE. He had been ordained in 1815, and after being cured of a severe throat ailment, which he attributed to the power of prayer, he was requested to pray for others and many cures were accredited to his intercession.
The Sisters at Ranelagh wrote requesting his assistance. He replied in July 1823 stating that on the first day of August he would offer Mass for Sr. Frances de Sales. On the morning of August 1st Mass was said at the convent. Sr. Frances showed no sign of improvement and seemed to be near death. Shortly afterwards to quote her own words ‘I felt a power of movement and capability of speech’ and raising her arms to form a cross clearly recited prayers of thanksgiving.
The community immediately informed the Archbishop, Dr. Murray, of this wondrous occurrence. He went out to the convent and satisfied with all he saw and heard issued a Pastoral Letter on the 15th. August, 1823. In this he stated that ‘the cure which was effected in the person of the said MARY STUART, on the 1st August inst., is the effect of a supernatural agency’.
The excitement caused by the miracle of Ranelagh brought crowds out to the convent. This proved to be very upsetting to the community, especially to Sr. Frances, whom everyone wanted to meet.
Sr. Frances finally requested permission to leave Ranelagh to avoid this attention, and on the 19th of August 1824, Mary Stuart and her sister, Sr. Mary Euphrasia, moved to Orchard House, Clondalkin.
They gave it the title ‘Convent of Our Blessed Lady of the Assumption – Clondalkin’. Sr. Mary Frances de Sales was nominated first Prioress and within a few days they were joined by Mother Mary Magdalen Teresa. Unfortunately they found the house to be damp and unsanitary and in 1827 the little community moved to Firhouse.
JOE WILLIAMS.