Anna Maria Desmond (1839–1921), in religion Sister Francis Xavier, was a
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
nun and teacher in
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
, Australia. She was the Mother Superior of
St Patrick's Convent in
Townsville and was involved in establishing schools in Queensland.
Anna Maria Desmond originally took her vows in with the name Sister Francis Xavier but it was changed to Sister Benigna on her voyage to Australia in 1872 as there was another Sister Francis Xavier onboard. She arrived in Brisbane in May 1872 and in 1873 went to Rockhampton to help establish a convent. From 1874 to 1878 she did charity and taught music in Brisbane.
In 1879 Sister Beninga with the
Sisters of Mercy went to Townsville and reopened St Joseph's School at the beginning of the school year and became leader of the community.
St Mary's Church & Convent, Townsville
St Mary's Church and Convent are heritage-listed Roman Catholic church buildings at 34 Ingham Road, West End, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by the Rooney Brothers and built by Cowell & Holt in 1888. It was added to ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Desmond, Anna Maria
People from Queensland
Australian schoolteachers
19th-century Australian Roman Catholic nuns
Sisters of Mercy
1839 births
1921 deaths
20th-century Australian Roman Catholic nuns