Our Foundress

Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1778. Dedicating her life to caring for the poor, particularly women, Catherine established the House of Mercy in 1823 – a facility built to house and educate poor women. In 1831 Catherine made her Profession of Vows and created the Order of the Sisters of Mercy.

“Sisters of Mercy should be particularly kind – the kindest people on earth, with the tenderest pity and compassion for the poor.”
Catherine McAuley. 
 

Mercy in Australia

The Sisters of Mercy went on to found convents, schools and hospitals across the globe. They arrived in Australia in 1846, led by Mother Ursula Frayne. The Australian congregation established schools and convents around the country and opened their first hospitals in Brisbane and Sydney.

Following a devastating influenza pandemic, the Sisters of Mercy opened their first Victorian hospital – St Benedict’s in Malvern – in 1920. They established a reputation for excellence in care and hospitality that has grown in strength to this day. The success of St Benedict’s allowed the Sisters to open Mercy Hospital in East Melbourne in 1934, Mercy Maternity Hospital (later renamed Mercy Hospital for Women) in 1971, and Werribee Mercy Hospital in 1994. 
 

“Mercy Health and Aged Care” becomes “Mercy Health”

Always striving to meet the changing needs of the community, aged care and mental health were added to the Mercy charter in the mid-nineties. “Mercy Health and Aged Care” was formed in1996.

In 2008, the organisation became “Mercy Health” to reflect the full range of health services offered, including lymphoedema care, transitions care and palliative care. In that same year, Mercy Health Training Institute was established to train passionate, professional and caring health workers.

 

Mercy Health Today

Mercy Health is a dynamic, growing organisation, caring for people through all stages of life.

Click here to read more about the Sisters of Mercy.