Tag Archives: Catherine McAuley

The Irish Connection at University of Detroit Mercy

Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, was born in Dublin, Ireland. After her parents died, she moved to live with Protestant relatives. She became a household manager and companion with friends of the relatives, the Callahans, a wealthy and childless couple. When they passed away, she inherited a considerable fortune which she used to open a house to shelter and educate women and girls. From that first House of Mercy in Dublin Ireland in 1827, the Sisters of...

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Uncategorized , , Updated: February 24, 2014

“Be sure you have a comfortable cup of tea” Catherine McAuley

As I was searching around the web looking for special days in January, I came across a page that had January as “Hot Tea Month“. It reminded me of a quote that  Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Religious Sisters of Mercy (RSM), said to one of her sisters on her deathbed: “Be sure you have a comfortable cup of tea for them when I am gone.” Since then a tea cup has become the symbol of Mercy hospitality. From...

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Uncategorized , , Updated: January 5, 2013