On March 19, 2026, His Excellency, the High Commissioner of Malta to Jamaica, Mr. George Borg, was welcomed by the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica during a memorable visit to the Alpha Campus. The visit was an opportunity to honour the rich history of Maltese Sisters in Jamaica.
Malta’s connection to the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica took root back in 1912 when Mother Mary Magdalen Degenhardt (Superior of the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica) wrote to her friend who lived in Malta (Mother Dorothy Kerr, RSCJ) about the plight of Jamaicans who were impacted by the infamous 1907 earthquake. Mother Dorothy in turn sent a plea out to persons within her network for young women to travel to the island and join the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica in order to help those who were suffering. Two women (Evelina Grech and Adelina Galea, who became known as Sisters Gabriel and Gertrude respectively) promptly responded to the call and started new lives in Jamaica as teachers. This was only the beginning.
From 1912 to 1939, the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica were joined by 27 Maltese women. Two early Sisters of note included Sr. Dolores Sargent – who served at the Alpha Infant School and Alpha Kinder-Preparatory as a Principal and teacher – and Sr. Scholastica Scott (the only non-Maltese woman who came from Malta) who was a celebrated Principal of both Holy Family School and St. Catherine Primary and Superior of the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica. Another memorable Maltese Sister was Sr. Noelle Bajada who taught at a number of schools including Mt. St. Joseph Prep School and ministered to over 4,000 refugees during World War 2 at the Gibraltar camp in Jamaica. Additionally, Sr. Thecla Lautier ministered in the field of childcare and primary level education in Gordon Town and at the Alpha Boys School, and she was instrumental in the opening of St. John Bosco Boys’ Home.
These Mercy Sisters formed a significant part of the Maltese community in Jamaica and played an integral role in fostering the long-lasting relationship between Jamaica and Malta. With this in mind, High Commissioner Borg was eager to visit Alpha—the place where many of his countrywomen devoted their lives to service. The visit featured a guided tour of the Alpha Mercy Historical Centre, as well as stops at the century-old Sacred Heart Chapel, and the Mercy Convent where the sisters once lived. High Commissioner Borg was therefore able to retrace the steps of the Sisters in the places where they lived and served for years. One of the more moving moments occurred at the Memorial Wall, which bears the names of the Maltese Sisters who served and died in Jamaica. Standing in quiet reflection, the High Commissioner paid tribute to the remarkable sacrifice and dedication of these courageous women. He acknowledged their contribution to the socioeconomic development of the nation.
In his remarks, Mr. Borg expressed deep admiration for the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica, commending their ongoing mission of compassion, service, and empowerment. He noted that the legacy of the Maltese Sisters endures—not only in memory, but in the vibrant ministries and institutions that continue to uplift communities across the island. The visit concluded in a spirit of gratitude and renewed connection, as both the High Commissioner and the sisters reaffirmed the enduring bond between Malta and Jamaica—one rooted in faith, service, and a shared commitment to human dignity.
