Congregation of Our Lady of Mercy in New Zealand - UC Research ...

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from Pope Pius V111 a Rescript of Indulgences dated l.iay ·
.,
23rd, 1830, Catheri.ne and two companions began a novitiate
on September 8th, 1830, under the Presentation Sisters
at Georges Hill, Dublin. (1) Here on December 12th,
1831, they took their vows as the first Sisters of Mercy,
Sister M. Catherine being appointed first Superior. Almost
in~ediately their zeal and charity were severely
tested; for, in 1832,
Dublin
cholera stalked the streets of
and the Archbishop appealed to the Sisters on
behalf of his suffering flock. (2) In answer to his
appeal the Sisters, we are told, "lcnel t down to receive
his blessing &'1d then r•ose up and made the cholera hospital
their home."
During the ten short years of her
religious life Mother McAuley founded convents throughout
Ireland and opened, in England, the first convent
since the religious revolt of the sixteenth century.
Lady Barbara Eyre, daughter of the Earl of Newbury, vvas
the first to receive the habit.
Of the progress made
by the Order we have the follovling from l.Iother EcAuley' s
own pen
( 3) "We are now ( 1839) above a hundred and desire
to join us seems rather on the increase. Though it was
thought foundations would retard it, the case appears
to be otherwise.''
It was while engaged on the Birmingham foundation September
1. Ibid. Vol. 1. P. L~3.
2. "IJeaves from the Annals of the Sisters of Mercy."
Vol. 1 . P. 315.
3. Ibid. Vol. 1. P. 1L~.