Mornane

Motto: Brave heart, cheerful minds, indomitable zeal

Mother Stanislaus Mornane was born in Melbourne in 1847. She was christened Anastasia and called Annie by her family. In 1876 she began at Loreto Ballarat - Mary's Mount. She met Mother Gonzaga Barry and other pioneering Loreto nuns who had come from Ireland only the year before. In 1879, Annie joined them as the first Australian to become a member of the order.

She took "Stanislaus" as her religious name and as Mother Stanislaus Mornane held appointments in Loreto schools in Victoria and in 1916 became Superior at Loreto Normanhurst. In 1924 she moved to Loreto Kirribilli as Superior. Her last years were spent in the Normanhurst community. After sixty-four years as a nun, she died in 1943 and is buried in the Normanhurst cemetery.

Mother Stanislaus is important in our Loreto history as the first Australian to join Loreto but it is her qualities as a person that have lasting impact. Her generosity of spirit, her honesty and directness are remembered. A tribute from a fellow nun who knew her well captures the essence of Mother Stanislaus:

"The brave heart, cheerful mind and indomitable zeal which Mary Ward desired for her daughters were surely exemplified in our loved Mother Stanislaus Mornane."

House Co-ordinator: Mrs Linda Guthrie