ABSTRACT
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1778, Catherine lost both parents at a relatively young age. Having to reside with other relatives who were anti-Catholic sparked Catherine’s vision. At twenty-five years old Catherine began living with a Quaker couple in Dublin. Through her influence and relationship with them, the couple converted to Catholicism, and entrusted their complete estate to Catherine. Upon receiving this legacy, Catherine constructed a home for young impoverished girls. Shortly thereafter, Catherine established the Sisters of Mercy whose mission remains to serve the poor, educate the ignorant, and help the sick. Catherine built the order by creating relationships and connecting the wealthy with the impoverished, those who are sickly with those in good health, and the uneducated with scholars. In her writings, Catherine states, “there is very little good can be accomplished or evil avoided without the aid of money.” Catherine’s vow to poverty spoke to her understanding of the social systems that could aid her in her endeavor. Her authentic leadership is reflected through her actions and words. As her writings indicate, she directed others to “speak as your mind directs and always act with more courage when the ‘mammon of unrighteousness’ is in question.” McAuley’s mission still serves today with over 10,000 Sisters of Mercy worldwide, and over eighty established schools ranging from elementary, secondary, and colleges or universities through the United States and worldwide.
