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

1.
Preface
Sisters of Eercy in our different dioceses have
often expressed regret that, so far, no one has
written a historical sketch of the Order of roy
in New Zealand. Time is steadily stealing from our
midst those who were privileged to enjoy personal
acquaintance with the first religious wonen - the
Auckland Sisters of Uercy of 1850 - to cone to this
country. So, v1'11ile there yet remain ·with us, five of
the original band who in 1873 founded the~- first
Convent of I~rcy in the South Island, I have
attenpted to break the ice, however feebly, and thus
free the current for more competent explorers.
Owing to the lack of a central authority for the
Order, the collecting of sources and other data has
entailed :'luch :1ore research than one rr1igllt infer fror:t
the size of the WOl"k. A considerable a.rnount of detail
was necessa:r'y but I have endeavoured to so use it as
not to lose si~ht of the vivifyin~ spi t o~ nercy,
which enbraces even the least works of the Order.
pro;2pt an d. sene:;;ous response to :1any appeals
and loans of useful naterials I owe abundant thad:s
to ~Irs.S.R.Goulter, Fairlie; I