250th Anniversary

250th Anniversary of the Founding of the Presentation Congregation

On Christmas Eve 1775 in Cork, Nano Nagle, with her three companions – Mary Ann Collins, Mary Fouhy and Elizabeth Burke, founded a religious community in response to God’s call to them to become consecrated women who would dedicate themselves to bearing the light of hope ‘to a people who walked in darkness’.

As a Congregation, we will officially mark the 250th Anniversary of the Foundation on 24 December 2025. This date also will mark the launch of a Year of Celebration in Honour of the 250th Anniversary: 24 December 2025 – 24 December 2026.

In collaboration with the Presentation Society of Australia & Papua New Guinea and the Conference of Presentation Sisters of North America, we plan to mark this special occasion in a variety of ways with Presentation people across the globe.

Rise O People

A dance to the 250 Anniversary song - ‘Rise O People’ written by the International Presentation Association was recorded at the Friends of Nano Retreat on
21st February 2026, Matlock.

Both the Friends of Nano and the Sisters took part in the dance to the 250 Anniversary song, led by Sr Mary Deane. It proved to be a very enjoyable way of ending a very thought provoking day at Matlock.

Light the Lantern

- Global Prayer Moment

24th December 2026

The Sisters from different communities took part in the Global Prayer Movement.

Across 250 years, the flame first kindled by Nano Nagle has travelled far beyond the streets of Cork - shining in classrooms, shelters, clinics, and homes around the world. To honour this living light, we invite our world-wide community to join together in a global moment of prayer and unity.

We lit a lantern, candle, or small flame and let this simple act remind us that Nano’s lantern still burns brightly through each of us, illuminating paths of compassion, justice, and hope.

Together, we began with this prayer:
“We are lanterns of hope, bearers of light in times of darkness.
May Nano’s flame burn within us - guiding our hearts to see,
our hands to serve, and our lives to shine with love.”

We then took a few quiet moments to reflect on how we can continue to bring light into the world - through kindness, courage, and everyday acts of justice.

Share your light with the world! If you can, capture a photo of your lit lantern or candle and send it to us to share! Together, our collective light will form a beautiful, global symbol of the enduring Presentation spirit.

Eco-Justice Action

Planting Trees for the World!

Nano’s lantern did more than light the dark streets of Cork - it illuminated a vision of dignity, interconnectedness, and care for all creation. In celebration of 250 years of Presentation presence, we invite our global family to unite for Eco-Justice! This activity will be a shared commitment to protect our planet and nurture “a future full of light and life.”

Each community is invited to take an action that reflects Nano’s deep care for creation. We will do this by planting trees — as many as you are able! Whether it’s one tree, ten, or more, every contribution matters.

Together, as a global Presentation family, our shared goal is to plant 2,500 trees across the world! Every seed planted will stand as a living symbol of our collective promise to nurture and protect Earth, our common home.

As you work, take time to reflect on the sacred connection between justice and ecology. Remember that Nano’s mission calls us not only to serve people in need, but to protect the fragile world that sustains us all.

Plant an olive tree: The £20 donation to the Olive Tree Project will fund planting one £15 olive sapling on Palestinian land, training farmers on the best techniques for olive tree care and production improvement. £5 of your donation will be used to support the work of our partners in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory (IoPt), ensuring that they can continue to change lives for the better in their communities.

When your activity is complete, email us at: eprov@pbvmengland.co.uk with any photographs, short stories, or reflections - showing how your community is helping to keep Nano’s lantern burning brightly for generations to come.

250 Acts of Presentation Kindness

Nano’s life was defined by courageous compassion - by small acts of love that transformed lives and rippled across generations. To honour 250 years of this spirit in action, we invite you to take part in the “250 Acts of Kindness” Global Challenge!

Each Presentation community, school, and group is encouraged to engage in acts of justice, compassion, and kindness that reflect Nano’s mission. These may be simple or profound — a smile that restores dignity, a meal shared with someone in need, tutoring a struggling learner, visiting the elderly, giving someone a hug, or standing up for justice in your community. Every act, no matter how small, carries the power to light the world anew.

Together, our goal is to reach and surpass 2,500 acts!

As you complete each act, note it down and share it with others. Communities can collect their stories, photos, or short reflections and share them with us. All contributions will be gathered into a global online map or video montage, illustrating the extraordinary ripple effect of Nano’s legacy - a world alight with Presentation kindness.

Please send your acts of kindness to eprov@pbvmengland.co.uk