It was 1824 when Catherine McAuley opened the building in southeast Dublin on the corner of Baggot Street and Herbert Street as a place to help the sick and the poor in Ireland. After helping so many women, this House of Mercy formed a religious congregation and became the Convent of Mercy.
Over time, the Sisters of Mercy spread across the globe! They moved to Erie, PA and started Mercyhurst as both a high school, college, and convent. All of the Mercyhurst history can be directly traced back to Catherine McAuley in that one house on Baggot Street.
Many years later, the original building still stands as the Mercy International Centre. A few students and I were lucky enough to show up at the house and be welcomed in! We had a private tour of the building which included the grave of Catherine McAuley and they room which she passed away in. Most of the building has been restored, however the room she died in was just about completely original (including the wooden floors!). It was an amazing experience to learn more about the Sisters of Mercy and the history of our University. I am so grateful that they took us in when we randomly showed up on their doorstep. The Sisters today are still carrying on Catherine's idea of generous hospitality :)
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| Ambassadors in front of Catherine's grave |
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