Mercy Beginnings in Great Britain

Catherine McAuley opened the first Convent of Mercy in England at Bermondsey, London in 1839.  “The six travellers leave dear Ireland tomorrow: all in tolerable good health and more than tolerable spirits.”  (Catherine to Frances Warde 19 November 1839)

At the invitation of Bishop Thomas Walsh of Birmingham, Catherine agreed to a foundation in Birmingham. On 21 August 1841 Catherine, accompanied by Juliana Hardman and her three Professed companions and two Postulants: Sister Angela Borini, later Foundress of Nottingham and Oldham, Sister Mary Liguori Gibson,

banner collage

Bermondsey before it was bombed, St Mary’s Convent, Altar Frontal used at 175th Anniversary at Westminster Cathedral

Foundress of Liverpool and Sister Mary Magdalene Polding, with Sister Mary Cecilia Marmion, Novice Mistress from Baggot Street.  So Catherine fulfilled her light-hearted remark,  “… I’ll then have a Sea-Saw Dance to Liverpool and a Merry Jig that has no stop to Birmingham.”  (Catherine to M de Sales 20 December 1840)

This was to be Catherine’s final journey.  She died two months later on the 11 November 1841 in Baggot Street.

St Mary’s Convent of Mercy
98 Hunter’s Road
Handsworth
Birmingham B19 1EB
West Midlands

Phone:      +44 121 554 3271
Fax:         +44 121 515 2496
Email:  sistersofmercy@btconnect.com
Web:    www.mercyhandsworth.org.uk

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