Mother Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. Her vision was to help relieve the distress of the poor, the sick, and the ignorant of her time. In founding her “House of Mercy,” Mother Catherine was able to provide educational opportunities to those who would have otherwise ended up on the streets. As an Irish woman, she lived during a time of ongoing persecution of Catholics in Ireland. Having experienced persecution for her Catholic faith as a young woman, Mother Catherine was zealous for the catechesis and moral formation of those entrusted to her care.
This section of the blog focuses on the life and zealous faith of Mother Catherine McAuley and the founding of the congregation. It is our hope that you will get to know Mother Catherine and grow to love her as well.
In these last weeks of our liturgical year when the Church focuses on the Four Last Things, i.e., death, judgment, Heaven and Hell, it is interesting to look at how unafraid Venerable Catherine was and to reflect on her hopeful and peaceful anticipation of the...