Columban Sister Joan Sawyer Remembered.


A special Mass thanksgiving and remembrance was celebrated at the Columban Sisters Motherhouse in Magheramore, Wicklow, Ireland on Saturday, December 13, 2003.  This was to mark the 20th anniversary of the violent death of Sister Joan Sawyer and nine prisoners in Perú.



 

Fr. Pat Donohoe, SSC

 Relatives and friends of Sister Joan joined a large group of  Columban Sisters who had gathered for the occasion.

The altar was specially decorated for the occasion in red and white - the national colours of Peru. The names of the prisoners who lost their lives on that December day in 1983 were displayed on one side of the altar on a white draped cloth while a picture of Joan hung on the other side.

The main celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Pat Donohoe SSC;

The homily was give by Columban Sister Elizabeth Doyle who was working in Peru when Sister Joan 's life abruptly ended.


the First Reading was read by Sister Margaret Deegan, Religious Sister of Charity and  cousin of Sister Joan;
Sister Patricia Sweeney who joined the Columban Sisters the same day as Sister Joan did the Second Reading.

There was  special selection of hymns sung in English, Spanish and Gaelic.  Symbols of Joan's life and dedication were presented along with the bread and wine at the moment of the Offertory.

Procession to the cemetery.

Sister Joan and companions remembered in Peru.

 

Sister Rita Deegan, mrs Nina Deegan and Sister Margaret Deegan, RSC.
Relatives of Sister Joan who attended the Mass:
(L to R: ) Sister Rita Deegan, SSC, Mrs Nina Deegan and Sister Margaret Deegan RSC.

To contact us:
columbansrs@eircom.net