This silent film tells the story of the Order of the Little Sisters of the Assumption which was founded in France in 1865 to meet social needs thrown up by the Industrial Revolution.
“A small band of Assumption sisters came to New Zealand in 1955 at the request of Bishop Kavanagh of Dunedin.” (Source: www.faithcentral.net.nz/?sid=207; retrieved 19/01/2012.) At approx. 20 mins in we read of the Order’s “Homes in Dunedin and Petone”. Nuns are seen emerging from the front door of a white Home, in the garden, and reading and knitting inside. Nun walking out of Convent [as sign describes it]. Visiting sick man in bed, anointing sores on his feet. An orange 120 bus. Intertitle: “Early morning in Petone. Motor Scooters convey them on errands of mercy.” Two nuns on motor scooters ride from driveway onto road. A third follows. “Sister is always very welcome and the family look forward to her visit.” She parks scooter on footpath beside two small children. Inside their house she performs the following tasks: “Morning Tea made. Medicine to be given, Drinks for a family - A Sister copes easily!”
The beginning of the film is missing and it begins with a glimpse of text that has be feeze-framed to be read: “In the cities, the machine age had brought irreligion, slums, and break up of homes - female labour left the sick often without care.”
A view follows of grim rooftops identified as being in the city of “Nimes”.
Down these mean streets goes a man portraying (according to the on-screen text) - “Father Stephen Pernet, Augustinian of the Assumption [...] saddened by the physical and moral misery of the Poor.”
“So far”, continues the text, “a solution had eluded him.”
“From a poor sick woman came inspiration.” (Matching contemporary footage of priest looming over woman in her bed.)
“You are so kind Father,” (chokes the woman), “but it is a woman I need.”
“Haunted by the woman’s words for four years Father Pernet prayed for light...”
“In January 1864, while celebrating Mass, a divine inspiration made clear what he should do...”
“Clearly - a new order of women, to nurse the sick and poor in their own homes, and bring the lapsed to Christ...was the solution.”
“June 1864 the first community of Little Sister of the Assumption became a reality. Mother Mary of Jesus was the First Superioress...”
“In a hundred years the congregation has spread to twenty-eight countries, and numbers almost 2,500 Sisters.”
“The Little Sister have their Irish Novitiate at Clondalkin Co. Dublin.” (Lots of nun shots follow)
“Here the Junior students, Postulants, and first year Novices, prepare for their Apostolate of Charity.”
“Come Follow ME.” (Drawing of Jesus)
“Imelda often thinks of becoming a Nun.” (’Imelda’ enters the cloisters.)
“She will do a few days retreat at Mt St Joseph.”
“For a few days she shares the life of the Postulants.”
“Eager to serve God...to spread His Kingdom.”
“Lord Multiply Us.”
“You have not chosen me... I have chosen you...”
“Breda, Bernadette, and Imelda have accepted Christ’s invitation, and receive the Postulants veil.”
“Henceforth her aim.”
“Heart of a missionary. Soul of a Carmelite.”
“To fit them for an active life.”
“No petrol problem here.”
“Six months pass and the Postulant receives the habit...”
“Your purpose is great and Divine...”
“It will cost you the giving up of the world...”
“The Little Sister’s life of prayer and labour, is inspired by the Founders advice - “Soul of a Carmelite - Heart of a Missionary...”
“You shall “receive much more now, and in the world to come - life everlasting.”
“The novice learns to love Christ more deeply.”
“A good cook can help the spiritual life.”
“Bless us O Lord, and these Thy gifts...”
“Joints must not be allowed to grow creaky!”
“Games are encouraged.”
“At Ballyfermot the second year Novices, in addition to spiritual training, study to prepare for hospital or university training after profession.”
“They attend lectures in child care and social welfare.”
“At the social bureau, a Sister with a social science degree helps the poor with their problems.”
“Some of the Sisters do a University degree in Social Science.”
“At Jervis St Hospital the Little Sister completes the course in Child Care.”
“Well fitted now to take the place of a sick mother...”
“Their Angels in Heaven always see the face of my Father...”
“Sweeter far than all things heard - laughs a child of seven.”
“Having completed her training at St Vincents, she will for the rest of her life nurse the sick poor - in their own homes.”
“In seeking souls... no task too menial...No service too great...” ([Quote from Father] Pernet)
“The Little Sister learns to see the face of Christ in His poor.”
“Have the tenderness of a mother for their infirmities.”
“She is now a trained nurse and social worker...”
“As they take absolutely nothing for their services, the Little Sisters depend completely on Divine Providence, to continue their work among the poor.”
“The Little Sister is ready at all times to help the sick poor...”
“As long as you did it for one of these, the least of My brethren, you did it for Me.”
“She brings no gifts but her charity.”
“Mother nurse and cook.”
“She remains in the house as long as required, taking absolutely nothing in return not even a meal.”
“An expert in child care - no howls of protest.”
“At the end of the day.”
“From the Holy Sacrifice comes their strong interior life.”
“Sanctify us.”
“Going therefore teach ye all nations.”
“Too many, attracted by the world do not hear the call.”
“The Little Sister of the Assumption may volunteer for the Foreign Missions.”
“The whole world lies open before you...give Christ to the World.” (Pernet)
“Work on the Missions remains the same - nursing the sick poor.”
“Spreading the Gospel through Service.”
“Across the world two thirds, of the human race have not heard of Christ. Lack of vocations hampers the work of many valiant Missionaries who labour in fields ripe for the harvest.”
“The Little Sisters have 31 Houses in Latin America. One third of the Catholics of the world live here, but it has only nine per cent of the worlds priests.”
“The Little Sisters came to Tunisia 1931, and then to Algeria, Morocco, Egypt.”
“Go where there is a soul to save. Everywhere you will find the poor - the forsaken.(Pernet)”
“In New Zealand. Sisters have Homes in Dunedin and Petone.” (See above.)
“Early morning in Petone. Motor Scooters convey them on errands of mercy.”
“Sister is always very welcome and the family look forward to her visit.”
“Morning Tea made. Medicine to be given, Drinks for a family - A Sister copes easily!”
“Sister has time too for reading or a walk in the garden.”
“Meals outdoors are good fun.”
“Attractive living rooms allow them relaxation from a service well done.”
“The Little Sister of the Assumption aims at reflecting a Charity which no difference of race can divide. The motto which inspire her.”
“Thy Kingdom Come.”
THE END