Mount Alvernia

In 1951, Eva transferred from Portiuncula Convet in Ballinasloe, Ireland, to the mother convent, Mount Alvernia, at Guildford in Surrey, England.

Mount Alvernia

Mount Alvernia was opened in 1935 as a private nursing home. Mother Francis Spring was Matron and Local Superior. In 1936 it became the Novitiate house(a period of being a novice and a place where novices live). In 1937, Mother Francis Spring was elected Mother General and Mount Alvernia became the Motherhouse in 1938.

Mother Francis Spring would have known Eva in 1951 when she came to England. It was during her time at Mount Alvernia that Eva ultimately came to the decision that the convent was not to be her life and made plans to return home to Dublin. Mother Francis lived at the convent until 1976, when she died.

Mother Francis Spring

Ladywell Convent

In 1956 Ladywell Convent in Godalming, Surrey, became the Motherhouse for the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM).

Ladywell Convent

Mother Margaret Keenan, who knew Eva at the Portiuncula Convent, moved to the Ladywell Convent in Godalming, Surrey, England and was Superior General from 1971 -1977. She died in July 1990.

Mother Margaret Keenan

Click here to visit the website of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood.

My thanks to M.O. at Ladywell Convent Guildford for help with this piece.