Catherine McAuley

Catherine McAuley was born on 29th September 1778 in Ireland. Her simple message was, “The poor need help today, not tomorrow”.

Her own deprived childhood gave her an affinity and a sensitivity towards the poor. For one thing she did not believe in handouts, except as a temporary solution to distress. She taught that the only form of help that had any lasting value was that which promoted self-help.

With this in mind, she went first to teach at the parish poor school in Middle Abbey Street, next to which she opened a shop for the sale of articles made by her pupils. Provision of vocational education was an integral part of her ideal of helping the poor to help themselves.

Catherine had no wish to found an order as she believed she could work more freely outside religious life. Catherine, however, was given permission to found a new type of order “The Walking Nuns”. They were allowed to leave their convents to walk the streets to minister to those in need. They looked after the poor, the sick, and the ignorant – founded homes for girls, began schools, visited the sick, and gave hospitality to all. Their lives were centered on God.

Catherine established her house of Mercy in Baggot Street Dublin. This center became a rehabilitation centre, an employment bureau, a sheltered workshop, a soup kitchen, a child care center and a school.

Catherine, an extraordinary woman, a woman of deep faith and trust in God, died in 1841, ten years after founding the order. After her death her work started to spread and in the same decade as her death the Order spread to Australia.

The Sisters of Mercy are to be found in many parts of the world including Ireland, Britain, the United States, North and South America, Africa, Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.

For more information on Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy please visit www.mercy.org.au