Mary Synan

Mary Synan (26 January 1837 – 6 March 1915) was an Australian Brigidine sister who served as Provincial Superior of the order from 1893 to 1907.

Life Mary Synan was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1837. Her parents were Mary (née Sullivan) and her husband, John Synan, who was a grocer and draper. After completing her schooling at the Brigidine Convent in Mountrath, Queen's County (now County Laois), Mary joined the Sisters of St Brigid at the age of 16. Two of Mary's sisters also joined the same Brigidine order, which had been founded in 1807. Mary was professed on 17 January 1857 and took the religious name Mary John.

Synan was the congregation's first leader. She was Mother Provincial from 1893 to 1907 and was succeeded by Johanna Barron, who was in the role from 1908 to 1920.

Synan was noted as a woman of vision, admired for her organising ability, leadership qualities and insight. She was also cultured and intelligent, and these attributes played a role in the development of the high standard of education at Brigidine schools. Under her leadership the Brigidines established schools in Cooma (1887), Cowra (1894), Cundletown (1899) and Randwick, Sydney (1901), with the convent at Randwick becoming the provincial house and novitiate. The Brigidines also opened schools in New Zealand at Masterton (1898), Foxton (1901) and Pahiatua (1906).

In 2023, many Brigidine sisters returned to the town of Coonamble to celebrate 140 years since their arrival. Their success in Coonamble had inspired the Brigidines to establish congregations in many other areas of Australia and New Zealand.