Last year, diocesan archivist, Dr Donna Bailey was thrilled to receive a beautiful Alb into the Diocesan archive. “The donation of this handcrafted Alb ties in with the rich history of the Diocese,” said Donna. “It belonged to a 20th Century priest who was ordained for the Sandhurst Diocese after being raised in the Yarrawonga area, as were his parents. Yet, the real story of this Alb is one of a mother’s love.”

As Mother’s Day is soon approaching, we share this story of maternal love, beautifully metaphorised in this exquisite Irish crocheted Alb.

On a family farm near Telford, Isabelle Connell sits down after a day of hard work and starts planning a special labour of love. Making things for those she loved had always been her love language; be it a well-cooked meal, countless preserves, or clothing for her children. On this occasion, she focused on creating an Alb for her first-born son, who had entered the seminary in Werribee.

For much of the duration of her son’s time in the seminary, Isabelle devoted her evenings crocheting this intricate Alb, each stitch a prayer and testament to her love and unwavering support of her son.

Isabelle's journey began long before the seminary, however. Raised in Yarrawonga, as Isabelle Parish, she married her husband John Connell at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Tungamah in April 1935. It was an early start for everyone, especially those who travelled by horse and gig, as the wedding started at 6:00 a.m.!  A true wedding breakfast of sandwiches and tea followed before the newlyweds caught the train to Melbourne for their honeymoon.

The following year, Isabelle and John were eagerly expecting their first child. However, John was charged by a bull, and Isabelle went into labour ten weeks too early! Their son, Brian, weighed less than 1kg at birth and was not expected to live. Isabelle and John were simply instructed to take their newborn back to their farm and wait for the inevitable.

Isabelle wrapped her infant in a swaddling cloth, cleaned him with oil, and fed him with an eye-dropper for the first months of his life. We can imagine that, as she worked tirelessly on the Alb for Brian’s ordination, she remembered her hands once cradling him so tenderly and perhaps, missing her son, she reflected on the nurturing love of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Most likely while rescued baby lambs kept warm by the fire.

Isabelle and John had three more children, Peter, Nora and John. They enjoyed family life on the farm and were immersed in their faith life. “After dinner, before we’d even washed up, we’d get down on our knees and pray the rosary,” remembers Nora. “Of course, sometimes we were naughty, winking at each other and such.”

Nevertheless, God had plans for Nora’s eldest brother and Fr Brian Connell was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Sandhurst at Sacred Heart Church, Yarrawonga in July 1964, wearing the Alb his mother had meticulously crafted for him.

Fr Brian Connell died in 1999 in Chicago. On gifting the Alb to the diocesan Archives, his sister Nora said her family hoped the Alb would be displayed from time to time. “It really is a mesmerising piece. I remember when I first saw it; I could hardly believe that my hardworking, down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth Mum made it,” said Nora. “We considered burying Brian in his Alb, but we decided it is just too beautiful to do that!”

Fr Brian Connell blesses his mother, Isabelle after his Ordination Mass. 

Nora isn't sure how her mother, Isabelle learned to create such fine work.  "Maybe she learned it from her mother," she pondered. 

We believe the Alb is Irish crocheted lace. Fine cotton thread is worked with a crochet hook, linking individually made motifs together with a background grid of bars, also known as 'brides.'