| A few words regarding the founding and work of the Sisters of Mercy is
not out of place in this article. The Sisters of Mercy was founded in Dublin,
Ireland, by Catherine Elizabeth McAuley in 1827. The first institution was
opened on the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, September 24, 1827. It was at first a
secular society of ladies who devoted several hours daily to charitable and
educational work.
The ladies spent more and more of their time at these works. In 1828 the
Archbishop permitted them to adopt a distinctive dress. The order formed rules
and led a life that was more on the order of a religious than a secular
organization. Finally, on the request of their intentions, made by the
Archbishop, they unanimously voted to become religious. On December 12, 1931,
Miss McAuley took her vows as a Sister of Mercy and became Sister Mary
Catherine. Two other ladies, Miss Elizabeth Harley, and Miss Anna Maria Doyle,
took their vows on the same day. These three ladies, after a novitiate in the
order of Presentation Sisters, became the first Sisters of Mercy. Sister Mary
Catherine was selected as the first Superior, an office which she held for the
remainder of her life.
“It has been the spirit of their foundress, Mother Catherine McAuley,
that has guided the labors of her daughters. She showed the tenderness of a
mother for the afflicted, seeing Christ in all who came to her for aid. Since
the foundation of the Order, more than one hundred years ago, these
self-sacrificing women have been engaged in every phase of social service
activities, works of mercy and of true Christian charity. Year by year, the
work has grown and fructified. Today, there are ten thousand Sisters of Mercy
in the United States, as well as large numbers working in Ireland, England,
Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and the West
Indies.”
“Not only in times of peace, but history attests to the fact that the
spirit of the Order has risen to real heroism when suffering humanity --when
Christ in His members -- has been visited by war, plagues, famines, floods and
catastrophes of every kind. Latest reports from the Leper Colony in British
Guiana give evidence of splendid work in the compounds there. Facing the
difficulty, some years ago, of securing enough lay nurses for a work so
repulsive to human nature, the English Government turned to the Trained Nurse
in the Order of Mercy. The efficiency and skill in developing a Leprosarium
which is a credit to present day science, is only equaled by the Sisters'
kindness and tender care of these poor unfortunate victims.”
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