Society of St Margaret (SSM), Chiswick, UK and Sri Lanka

Introduction to the community

The Convent at Chiswick is one of the autonomous Convents that constitute the Society of St Margaret, founded by John Mason Neale. The Sisters’ work is the worship of God, expressed in their life of prayer and service. At Chiswick they care for elderly people in a nursing home and have guests.

There is a semi-autonomous house and a branch house in Sri Lanka. The Sisters run a Retreat House, a Hostel for young women, a Home for elderly people, and are involved in parish work.

There are two Sisters in retirement flats in Uckfield who offer intercessory prayer, spiritual direction, pastoral support and other involvement in the life of the town and parish.

SSM communities worldwide

Contact details

Email:
mother@stmarysnh.co.uk
Telephone:
020 8 994 4641
Fax:
020 8995 9697

UK house:
St Mary’s Convent & Nursing Home, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London W4 2QE, UK
maryclaressm@hotmail.co.uk

Sri Lanka house:St Margaret’s Convent, 157 St Michael’s Road, Polwatte, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka

Children’s home:
St John’s Home, 133 Galle Road, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Community information

Date of foundation:
1855; 1887 in Sri Lanka
Registered Charity number:
231926 (UK)

Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark (UK)

Bishop Visitor: Rt Revd Dhiloraj Canagasaby, Bishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Type:
Gender:
Ministry:
Lifestyle:
Vow:
Rule:
Location:

Publications

Sister Catherine Louise SSM, The Planting of the Lord: The history of the Society of Saint Margaret in England, Scotland and the USA, 1855-1995, privately published, 1995.

Pamela Myers & Sheila White, A Legacy of Care: St Mary’s Convent and Nursing Home, Chiswick, 1896 to 2010, St Mary’s Convent, Chiswick, 2010.

Doing the Impossible: a short sketch of St Margaret’s Convent, East Grinstead 1855-1980, privately published, 1984. Postscript 2000.

Third Order, Fellowship, Associates

Associates observe a simple Rule, share in the life of prayer and dedication of the community, and are welcomed at all SSM convents.

Leadership

Mother Superior: Mother Jennifer Anne SSM
Assumed office 2 March 2015

Assistant Superior: Sister Mary Clare SSM

Membership

Sisters in UK:
Sister Raphael Mary
Sister Rita Margaret
Sister Francis Anne
Sister Cynthia Clare
Sister Mary Paul
Sister Sarah

Sisters in Sri Lanka:

Sister Chandrani (Sister superior)
Sister  Lucy Agnes                                                                                                                                                                              

Members who have died since the last Yearbook:

16 Aug 2019 – Sister Mary Christine, aged 90, professed 56 years, Sri Lanka
13 June 2020 – Sister Lucy, aged 84, professed 44 years
27 Feb 2021 – Sister Barbara, aged 77, professed 33 years,
professed in CSJB 1966-72

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