Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II in 1990.
Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland on September 29, 1778. Her parents, James and Elinor McAuley, died before Catherine, her brother James and sister Mary reached adulthood, leaving them orphans. Although her father was a devout Catholic, her widowed mother was not totally committed to the Catholic faith. Living with relatives, the children were raised in an anti-Catholic atmosphere.
When Catherine was 25 years old, she was asked to live with William and Catherine Callaghan on their estate at Coolock to be a companion to Mrs. Callaghan. They grew to love Catherine dearly, and when Mr. Callaghan died in 1822, Catherine inherited a large fortune, about 25,000 pounds.
Using her inheritance, in 1827 Catherine built a House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin to provide a school for poor children and a place to train young girls for employment. Other women were intrigued by her efforts and came to join her in her work. Catherine had no intention of forming a religious community for nuns; she simply wanted to serve the poor with the funds at her disposal. However, the Archbishop persuaded Catherine and two other women to begin formal preparation for the vowed life at the Convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dublin. Upon completion of their 15-month training period, they began the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy on December 12, 1831.
Catherine and her sisters were called the "walking nuns" as they were seen in the streets of Dublin serving the sick and the poor. Prior to that time, nuns were cloistered and were not seen ministering to the needy. Other women were inspired to join them and their Community spread rapidly.
Catherine had always loved singing and dancing and advised her sisters to engage in these activities also. She enjoyed laughter and hospitality and often encouraged her sisters and visitors to enjoy "a comfortable cup of tea," To this day, the teacup is the symbol of hospitality in Mercy houses throughout the world.
Catherine lived only ten years as a Sister of Mercy prior to her death in 1841, but her foundations began to multiply in Ireland and abroad. Catherine asked her dearest companion, Sister Mary Frances Xavier Warde, to answer the call of Bishop O'Connor of Pittsburgh, USA, to start a foundation in his diocese. The two close friends were never to meet again after Sister Frances left for the American continent with a band of six sisters.
Sisters of Mercy are present today in Europe, North America, South America, as well as the Phillipines and Australia.
In 1978, the cause for the beatification of Catherine McAuley was introduced by Pope Paul VI when he recognized Catherine as a Servant of God. The second step was achieved in 1990 when Pope John Paul II declared Catherine McAuley as Venerable. Two miracles are required at this point through the intercession of Catherine McAuley in order for her to be beatified and then canonized. It is a long and tedious process. The Sisters of Mercy are confident that Catherine is a saint and will be so recognized in the not too distant future.
Sources:
Catholic Encyclopedia, 2009
www.mercyworld.org/foundress
When Catherine was 25 years old, she was asked to live with William and Catherine Callaghan on their estate at Coolock to be a companion to Mrs. Callaghan. They grew to love Catherine dearly, and when Mr. Callaghan died in 1822, Catherine inherited a large fortune, about 25,000 pounds.
Using her inheritance, in 1827 Catherine built a House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin to provide a school for poor children and a place to train young girls for employment. Other women were intrigued by her efforts and came to join her in her work. Catherine had no intention of forming a religious community for nuns; she simply wanted to serve the poor with the funds at her disposal. However, the Archbishop persuaded Catherine and two other women to begin formal preparation for the vowed life at the Convent of the Presentation Sisters in Dublin. Upon completion of their 15-month training period, they began the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy on December 12, 1831.
Catherine and her sisters were called the "walking nuns" as they were seen in the streets of Dublin serving the sick and the poor. Prior to that time, nuns were cloistered and were not seen ministering to the needy. Other women were inspired to join them and their Community spread rapidly.
Catherine had always loved singing and dancing and advised her sisters to engage in these activities also. She enjoyed laughter and hospitality and often encouraged her sisters and visitors to enjoy "a comfortable cup of tea," To this day, the teacup is the symbol of hospitality in Mercy houses throughout the world.
Catherine lived only ten years as a Sister of Mercy prior to her death in 1841, but her foundations began to multiply in Ireland and abroad. Catherine asked her dearest companion, Sister Mary Frances Xavier Warde, to answer the call of Bishop O'Connor of Pittsburgh, USA, to start a foundation in his diocese. The two close friends were never to meet again after Sister Frances left for the American continent with a band of six sisters.
Sisters of Mercy are present today in Europe, North America, South America, as well as the Phillipines and Australia.
In 1978, the cause for the beatification of Catherine McAuley was introduced by Pope Paul VI when he recognized Catherine as a Servant of God. The second step was achieved in 1990 when Pope John Paul II declared Catherine McAuley as Venerable. Two miracles are required at this point through the intercession of Catherine McAuley in order for her to be beatified and then canonized. It is a long and tedious process. The Sisters of Mercy are confident that Catherine is a saint and will be so recognized in the not too distant future.
Sources:
Catholic Encyclopedia, 2009
www.mercyworld.org/foundress
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