Sister Muriel Austin was born in Goulburn Australia on September 8th 1914. Her mother died when she was still very young and her grandmother assumed responsibility for her, it was from her that she received her deep love for Mary. She used to speak of a picture of Mary which hung over her bed and her grandmother saying to her ‘Mary is your real mother now.’

Perhaps it is no surprise that in 1939 she entered the Marist Congregation and having made her vows was sent on mission to New Zealand where she taught little children for 25 years. She later returned to Australia where she continued her ministry as a teacher. On her retirement she engaged in parish ministry, until she finally retired from active ministry at the age of 85.

She spent the last five years of her life in a nursing home where she was very well cared for by the sisters of Saint Joseph and their staff. She had frequent visits from the Marist Sisters who accompanied her, very often in silence when she could no longer speak, but through her smile communicated her sense of belonging and gratitude.

Sister Muriel died on January 6th 2010, it is as though she travelled with the three Kings to meet Jesus face to face. May she continue to smile in the peace of Christ.