Franciscan Charism

The lives of St Francis of Assisi, St Clare of Assisi, and Elizabeth Hayes provide the foundation of values that guide the Franciscan community today.

St Francis of Assisi

St Francis of Assisi (1181/1182-1226) was an Italian friar and preacher who devoted his life to serving God, the poor, and the sick. Born into a wealthy merchant family in Assisi, Italy, he gave up his possessions after a spiritual awakening and chose a life of poverty and humility.

He founded the Franciscan Order, which encouraged compassion, simplicity, and service to others. Francis was especially known for his love of nature and animals, believing all living things reflected God’s creation. His teachings inspired many people, and he remains one of the most respected and beloved saints in Christian history.

St Clare of Assisi

St Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St Francis of Assisi. Born into a noble family in Assisi, Italy, Clare was inspired by Francis’s teachings on poverty, humility, and service to God. At the age of 18, she left her wealthy home to dedicate her life to prayer and helping others.

She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later known as the Poor Clares, a religious community committed to simple living and devotion. Canonized in 1255, St Clare remains a symbol of faith, courage, and spiritual dedication.

Elizabeth Hayes

Elizabeth Hayes (1823-1894), later known as Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus, was a pioneering Franciscan sister and missionary. Born in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, she was originally raised in the Anglican faith before converting to Catholicism and joining a Franciscan community.

Driven by a strong commitment to missionary work, she served in Jamaica, France, and the United States, dedicating her life to education and caring for those in need. In 1873, she founded the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Minnesota. Her work helped spread Franciscan values of faith, service, and compassion, leaving a lasting legacy in the Catholic Church.

The Missionary Franciscan Sisters are deeply linked to St Francis of Assisi through their spiritual heritage, charism, and way of life.  The Sisters live simply, joyfully, peacefully, and contemplatively, while supporting their mission to help the isolated, the lonely, the elderly, the marginalised, the needy, the homeless and the ordinary person in the street.

To learn more about St Francis, St Claire and Elizabeth Hayes, Mercy Partners has written a book, Enflamed with God’s Love, Preserving, Nurturing, Reimagining the Franciscan Charism.

Mount Alvernia College

The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception arrived in Australia in 1930 at the invitation of the Franciscan Friars in Kedron, Brisbane. During a time of economic hardship and growing community need, the Sisters established St Anthony’s School and subsequently expanded their educational ministry, laying the foundations for what would become Mount Alvernia College.

Mount Alvernia College commenced on 1 February 1956 in a room of the Sisters’ convent, welcoming ten students and three teaching Sisters. The College’s first dedicated building at 82 Cremorne Road opened in 1957, marking the beginning of a period of steady growth and development. After decades of leadership by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters, Dr Lee Anne Perry was appointed as the College’s first lay Principal in 1993.

More than 70 years later, Mount Alvernia College is a thriving learning community of almost 1,000 students, continuing to be guided by the values, vision and legacy of its founding Sisters.

Mount Alvernia College was entrusted to the care of Mercy Partners by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception on 12 July 2017.