There has been a strong tradition of Religious Orders working within the Parish and we currently work with The Sisters of Mercy, The Presentation Sisters and the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins.

Presentation Sisters

The Presentation Sisters were founded by Nano Nagle in 1775, and came to Carlow in 1811 to continue her work in education. Today well over 200 years the Presentation Sisters continue to bring the message of Christ and his love to the children of the world in all five continents.

Mercy Sisters

Since coming to Carlow the Sisters of Mercy have been involved in primary and secondary education and in the health-care of the elderly at the Sacred Heart Hopsital. The Sisters are also involved in many pastoral and caring ministries in our community.

Capuchins

Capuchin Friary, 43, Dublin Street, Carlow. Tel: 059 91 42543

The Capuchin Friary at Dublin Street was orginally a Bank which in 1987 was converted into a Friary and the Capuchin Oratory of Anthony.

The Chapel itself holds 50 people comfortably and every week day the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for worship and prayer from 9 am. to 9 pm.

Two masses are celebrated each day ; One at 1pm and the evening Mass at 5:40pm. No evening Mass on Saturdays.

The Oratory is closed on Sundays and Holy days so that parishioners can attend their parishes and the Priests here celebrate Mass in St. Dympna’s Hospital. We also celebrate Mass in the Sacred Heart Hospital every Wednesday at 11am.

Many people come to pray and to visit and Confessions are available each day from 12pm to 12:45 and in the afternoons from 4pm to 5:30.

Our Secular Franciscan Lay order is very vibrant and meet for Mass and prayers on the last Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. All are Welcome.

Also on the last Tuesday of each month a Mass and prayers in honour of St. Padre Pio takes place, very well attended.

The lovely Stations of the Cross were painted by Sister John Francis. R.I.P of the Poor Clare monastery. The Poor Clares are our Sister Order and so we feel very much at home in Carlow.

We were given a very generous welcome by the Bishop(Patrick Lennon) and Clergy in 1978 and we are only too glad to be of help to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin.

Two wooden Statues; One of Our Lady and the other of St. Anthony adorn the Oratory. St. Anthony is still a favourite and we also have a statue of St. Padre Pio. We are usually a community of four combining Priests and brothers.

The people join with us for morning (9am.) and evening prayer (after Mass).

A Holy Hour is held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm.

The Friary office is busy every week day for Mass offerings etc.

Capuchins Worldwide: Capuchins are in 101 countries all over the world, with around 11,000 friars living in more than 1,800 communities (fraternities, friaries).

Simplicity, closeness to the people, a fraternal spirit in our houses and our apostolate are visible signs that mark our lifestyle, while the emphasis on penance and prayer in the life of the first Capuchins needs to be revived.

Click here for more information on the Cauphin Order.