The Daughters of the Holy Ghost who had been driven from France by persecution came to Carmarthen early last century. Carmarthen was their first foundation in Wales. The Order was encouraged to come here by the Honourable Mrs Herbert, Miss Abadam and Dr Alice Johnson.
The Sisters arrived on the 25th March 1903 – the Feast of the Annunciation. Led by Rev Mother Barbara, they were Sr Mary lsodore, Sr Louis of St Anne, Sr Louis Maria and, Sr Anne. Their new home had been made ready for them by Miss Abadam and Dr Johnson. In the early period they faced many difficulties, they were ‘strangers, few in number, without influence, speaking the language imperfectly, and unfamiliar with native ways and customs.’
They settled at Picton Villa and to help maintain themselves they gave private tuition in French and needlework, their main source of income for several years. In 1904 they opened a small private school moving twice, once to Wauniago a larger building which they had hoped, wrongly as it turned out, to accommodate more pupils; then to 29 Picton Terrace until finally moving Picton House, which became St. Winefride’s Convent. The sisters became deeply involved in apostolic work in the parish especially in visiting the sick in their own homes.
By 1908 the school only had eight pupils but in that year Sister Pierre affectionately known as Ma Mère was appointed to the Headship of the Catholic School in Mill Street on the resignation of Miss Winbury owing to ill health. The Education Authority only recognised her former name – Miss Angela Bequec. Her appointment started a long and fruitful association between the sisters and the young people of the parish. Indeed Sister Pierre taught for forty years in the school.
Sister Pierre became Superior of the Convent in 1930. That year she celebrated her silver jubilee of her religious profession. Mother Pierre or Ma Mère as she became affectionately known, resigned as headmistress in 1948. She was replaced by Sister Henri. Though retired from the head-ship Ma Mère continued as Superior at the Convent and also continued to help in the school.
She was well-known throughout the town by Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
On her retirement it was noted that she had ‘taught the grand children and even the great-grandchildren of the present generation and knows intimately the history of every family in the Parish.’
Ma Mère died on 23rd April 1952, her Requiem Mass and funeral being held three days later.
In the Passionist records (Platea) Ma Mère was described as ‘a wonderful influence for good and she generously supported and not infrequently inspired the work of the clergy. Many communities of St Mary’s through the long years had reason to be grateful for her assistance both spiritual and temporal.’
Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Ken Davies
A new Lady Altar and a stained glass window were erected in the church in memory of Ma Mère in 1955. She was succeeded by Sister Henri, who had for many years worked under her. Sister Henri retired in 1955 and returned to France, where she died in 1971.
Early in 1969 the Mother Provincial of the Holy Ghost sisters announced her intention to close the Carmarthen Convent.
The Sisters finally departed from Carmarthen at the end of Summer 1970.
