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Founder of the Order Sisters of Mercy - Catherine McAuley
Catherine McAuley
The Venerable Mother Catherine Elizabeth McAuley was an Irish nun, born in Dublin Ireland. In September 1827 Catherine McAuley established a ‘House of Mercy’ in Baggot Street, Dublin, Ireland. There she and several companions provided food, clothing, housing and education for many of Dublin’s poor women and young girls. Catherine died a holy death on 11 November, 1841. Within a few decades her congregation had spread worldwide. -
Birth dates of significant people within the order
Mother Vincent Whitty was born in Olygate County Wexford on 1 March 1819, Ellen entered the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin in 1839, taking the name Sister Mary Vincent. Catherine McAuley prepared Ellen and her novitiate companions for their Profession in August 1841. -
When the order was first created
Catherine and two of her associates entered the Convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dublin on Sept. 8, 1830, to begin formal preparation for founding the Sisters of Mercy. Fifteen months later the trio pronounced vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and to persevere until death in "the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy." Thus the new community was founded on Dec. 12, 1831. -
Birth dates of significant people within the order
Jane Gorry, born in Ipswich on 16 February, 1844, She joined the Sisters of Mercy on 24 May, 1862, and took the name Sr Mary de Sales. She was the first Queensland Sister of Mercy.
For ten years she was fully occupied with teaching at All Hallows’ School, visiting the sick and taking provisions to the needy. -
Florence Honoria O'Reilly
Florence Honoria O’Reilly was an heiress, inspired by the Sisters’ story, who came to Brisbane in 1872.
Renting accommodation on the grounds of All Hallows’, she used her financial skills to establish investments and assist with Mercy institutions. Two key ventures were: farmland in Samford Valley, and sugarcane in the Johnstone River District – the former for a seminary, the latter for education. -
When the order first arrived in Australia
Ellen Whitty (Mother M Vincent) and her five companions arrived in Brisbane on the 10 May 1861 at the invitation of Bishop Quinn thus bringing the first Sisters of Mercy to Queensland and establishing what we know today as the Brisbane Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. -
Important points in the history of the order in Australia - First School
All Hallows' School for girls was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, on the 15 December, 1861. All Hallows' was the first secondary school for girls in Queensland, and its history affords insight into the nature of the changing role of women in our society.
