Main content

Sister Frances Dominica

Sue Lawley's castaway is pioneer of the hospice movement Sister Frances Dominica.

This week Sue Lawley's castaway is a nun and a pioneer of the hospice movement. Sister Frances Dominica says she had always felt she was born to be a nurse and as a child would line up her dolls and teddies in pretend hospital beds and tend to them. But a dramatic revelation during her early 20s diverted her and, to the horror of her family, she abandoned her career for a contemplative life. She took her life vows in 1972 and, in 1977, at the incredibly young age of 34, was elected to be the Mother Superior of her community. The following year she met a family with a sick child and offered to give her respite care. It was that relationship which gave Sister Frances the idea of starting a children's hospice and, in 1982, Helen House opened. It was the first children's hospice in the world.

For the past four years she has been fundraising for another hospice - which she calls a Respice, a mixture of respite and hospice – Douglas House, which is geared up for the needs of adolescents and young adults. Like Helen House, it is named after a patient who made a particular mark on Frances, although he did not survive to see it opened.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Skye Boat Song by Elinor Bennett
Book: The Earth from the Air by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Luxury: Chaise longue with a mosquito net attached

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 13 Feb 2004 09:00
±«Óãtv Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Rt Hon Lord Sainsbury

Next

Sacha Distel

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Elinor Bennett

      Skye Boat Song

      Artist: Meinir Heulyn

      • Popular Melodies.
      • Sain.

  • Ruth Lamdin

    Cradle Song - PRIVATE TAPE

  • George Gershwin

    Summertime (from Porgy & Bess)

    • Porgy and Bess - Original Soundtrack.
    • MCA.

  • Gregorio Allegri

    Miserere

    Soloist: Alexander Semprini Choir: Westerminster Cathedral Choir Conductor: James O'Donnell

    • Masterpieces of Sacred Polyphony.
    • Hyperion.

  • Howard Blake

    Walking in the Air

    Soloist: Peter Auty

    • The Snowman.
    • CBS.

  • John Rutter

    The Lord Bless You and Keep You

    Orchestra: Bournemouth Sinfonietta Conductor: Stephen Layton

    • Requiem.
    • Hyperion.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Sanctus (from War Requiem)

    Soloist: Elisabeth Söderström

    • War Requiem.
    • EMI.

  • John Williams

    Theme from Schindler's List

    Soloist: Itzhak Perlman

    • Schindler's List.
    • MCA.

  • Book Choice

    • The Earth from the Air - Yann Arthus-Bertrand

  • Luxury Choice

    • Chaise longue with a mosquito net attached

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Sister Frances Dominica

Broadcasts

  • Sun 8 Feb 2004 11:15
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4
  • Fri 13 Feb 2004 09:00
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast