Mary Glowrey
Mary Glowrey was born in 1887 in the Victorian town of Birregurra. Her family moved to the town of Garvoc when she was six months old, then north to the Mallee township of Watchem five years later. Mary attended South Melbourne College on a scholarship aged 13 and boarded with the Good Shepherd Sisters. She studied medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating as a doctor in 1910. Her residential year was undertaken at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand.
Dr Mary Glowrey returned to live in Melbourne in 1912. She had medical rooms in Collins Street and worked at St Vincent’s Hospital and the Eye and Ear Hospital. She became the inaugural General president of the Catholic Women’s Social Guild (now the Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga) when it was formed at Cathedral Hall in 1916.
In January 1920 Dr Mary Glowrey left her homeland, beloved family and friends, and her medical career to become a medical missionary in India. She joined the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph in Guntur. She was known as Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart JMJ. With the permission of Pope Benedict XV, she became the first Sister Doctor. For more than three decades she served marginalised women and children in India through her provision of medical care, establishment of facilities, training and networks.
She died in Bengaluru (Bangalore) in 1957.
The Cause for canonisation for Mary Glowrey opened in 2010. She was accorded the title Servant of God. Following the conclusion of the diocesan inquiry into her Cause in 2017, documents were submitted to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, which currently continues its canonical investigation in Rome.
For more information, see maryglowrey.org.au
Click here for the Mary Glowrey Museum
Cathedral Hall, Australian Catholic University
Level 2, 20 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065
(The lift is currently not in operation; access is via stairs.)
Image: Mary Glowrey Collection
Mary Glowrey Prayer Cards
The Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga has created beautiful Mary Glowrey prayer cards.
The card shows Mary Glowrey reading to children in India on the front, with the following words from Mary: “There is but one question. Does Our Lord want me to do this for him?” On the back is the prayer for the canonisation of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ, Servant of God. The imprimatur is by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli.
Download the prayer by clicking here.
Requests for cards, along with a stamped self-addressed envelope, can be sent to:
Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga
PO Box 3192, Cotham, Victoria 3101, Australia.
Mary Glowrey Prayer Group
The Mary Glowrey Prayer Group keeps women and their families closely connected in the solidarity of prayer and spiritual inspiration. It is open to all members and is under the patronage of Dr Sister Mary Glowrey. Details: mgpg@cwlvicww.org.au
Autobiography of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey
Mary Glowrey’s account details her upbringing in Australia and her first years in India as a pioneering medical missionary. As ill health prevented Mary from completing her account, her fellow Australian, Sr Peter Julian Barrett JMJ, completed Mary’s story within a few years of Mary’s death in 1957.
In this publication both documents are accompanied by beautiful photographs from the Mary Glowrey Collection and commentaries that provide cultural and historical background for the texts.
Makes a great gift!
Order a copy of the Museum’s recent publication of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ’s autobiography, The Autobiography of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ: ‘God’s Good for Nothing’, which includes supplementary texts.
Download an order form here
Cost: $49.95 + postage and handling $10 (Currently, Australia only). Pay by EFT or cheque. (Please note, delivery may be delayed due to demands on the postal system)
The Autobiography of Dr Sr Mary Glowrey JMJ: ‘God’s Good for Nothing’ has been produced by the Museum with the generous support of ACU.
Inquiries: info@maryglowreymuseum.info
The Mary Glowrey Award
The Mary Glowrey Award was established by the Governing Board of the Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga Inc. (‘the League’) in 2004. This Award recognises the exceptional service to the League and is conferred upon a current or past member who has dedicated their time to the League.
Dr Mary Glowrey was the President of the Catholic Women’s Social Guild, the former name of the League, when it formed in 1916. In 1920 she travelled from Australia to India, where she joined the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph in Guntur. She was known as Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart JMJ. With permission from the Pope to practice medicine as a religious, Mary Glowrey served as a pioneering medical missionary for 37 years in India. In addition to treating countless patients, she established healthcare facilities, training systems and the organisation now known as the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI).
Mary Glowrey’s constant prayer was to do God’s Holy Will. She showed extraordinary faith, courage, fortitude, vision and innovation in living her vocation. Members of the League are inspired by her patience, honesty, loyalty, selflessness, humour, suffering, prayerfulness and humility.
Today, more than ever, Dr Mary Glowrey provides a wonderful role model for women endeavouring to combine their individual spiritual role with the practicalities of everyday life. Although Mary was very gifted academically, she was always devoted to God. She never attempted anything without praying to the Holy Spirit, knowing that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible.
The Award will be presented at the Annual General Conference of the Catholic Women’s League of Victoria & Wagga Wagga Inc.
Nomination Procedure
Nomination forms and information relating to the requirements of this award are available from the General Secretary. Deadline for lodgement is 31 May 2025.
Catholic Health Association of India
In 1943 Mary Glowrey founded the Catholic Hospitals’ Association, now known as the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI). Today, CHAI’s more than 3500 members auspice the care of more than 21 million annually in India.
Mary Glowrey arrived in Chennai (then Madras), on 11 February, 1920. This date is celebrated by the Catholic Church as the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. On the centenary of Mary Glowrey’s arrival in India, CHAI sent a message to member organisations and supporters with a Novena prayer.
For more information about CHAI click here
Address: PO Box 3192, Cotham, Victoria 3101, Australia.
Email: info@cwlvicww.org.au