Interview with Liz
What was your experience like attending your first pilgrimage?
My first pilgrimage was a truly eye-opening experience. I didn’t know much about Mary Aikenhead beforehand, so it was fascinating to learn more about her life and the ministry.
Are there any new things you learnt about Mary Aikenhead or the history of the Sisters of Charity?
I learned several new things about Mary Aikenhead, including that she never actually came to Australia herself. Instead, she sent three Sisters from Ireland, along with a crucifix featuring a black image of Jesus. That very crucifix still exists today and is kept at The Sisters of Charity Heritage Centre here in Australia.
The statues that make up Footsteps Towards Freedom at Macquarie Wharf
What aspects of the Sisters of Charity’s mission — love, hope, compassion, and service to the poor, stood out to you most during the journey?
What stood out to me most about the Sisters of Charity's mission were the values of compassion and service to the poor. When the nuns arrived, they immediately dedicated themselves to their work, showing remarkable commitment, especially at the Cascade Female Factory (prison). I found their devotion deeply admirable.
Was there a particular place or moment during the pilgrimage that you will remember the most?
The place that left the deepest impression on me during this pilgrimage was the Cascade Female Factory. It is the most significant site in Australia associated with the story of female convicts.
As a mother myself, it was truly heartbreaking to hear how many were separated from their children, from as young as six months to three years old and most of the babies born there didn’t survive their first year.
Hearing details of the harsh conditions the convicts endured, such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate food and clothing, and the high rates of disease and death among inmates, was incredibly difficult.
Yard 1 Cascades Female Factory
What key message or value from this experience do you hope to apply in your daily life or work?
The lesson I hope to carry from this experience into my daily life is: just do it – don’t wait around. Follow through on what you say and what you set out to achieve.
If you were to describe the pilgrimage in three words, which ones would you choose?
Spiritual, Sorrowful, Death.
