Harriet Monsell was an Anglican saint and nun born in 1811 at Dromoland Castle. Following the death of her husband, Charles Monsell, in 1850, she became a central figure in the Oxford Movement by establishing the Community of St John Baptist in 1852. This Augustinian order, often referred to as the Clewer Sisters, focused on social service for marginalized women. Under her leadership as Mother Superior, the community grew significantly, expanding its reach to include various institutions across Great Britain, India, and the United States.
Life and work
Born into an influential Irish family, Harriet married a clergyman in 1839. After her husband passed away, she dedicated herself to helping unwed mothers and former prostitutes near Windsor. She founded her religious order in Clewer, where the members followed a rule attributed to St. Augustine. The community eventually managed numerous schools, orphanages, and hospitals. Due to failing health, she retired to Folkestone, where she died on Easter Sunday in 1883.
Veneration and legacy
She is commemorated in the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church on 26 March. This date is chosen because her death occurred on the Feast of the Annunciation, so the commemoration is observed the following day. Her religious community continues to operate today, maintaining presence in England and the United States through various houses and mission work.