Sisters of Mercy:
History:
Catherine McAuley
Catherine was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1778. In
1824 she opened up a House of Mercy where she and other women would shelter
homeless women, care for the sick, and educate girls who were poor. Today,
there is a Mercy International Centre in Dublin that was once Catherine’s
original house.
Chicago History:
In 1846, the city of Chicago’s first Catholic bishop
invited the Sisters of Mercy to Chicago from Ireland. Mother Frances Warde and
Sister Agatha O’Brien arrived to the small town of Chicago. They established
the first female academy in Chicago, St. Francis Xavier Female Academy.
They taught classes, sheltered young women, visited inmates,
nursed those who fought epidemics, and cared for orphans.
In 1850 they created Illinois General Hospital of the
Lake
In 1871, they watched the last 25 years in Chicago go
up in smoke. The Chicago Fire destroyed everything.
Today the Sisters of Mercy sponsor Saint Xavier
University, Mother McAuley High School, and Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.
Saint Xavier:
1846: Five Sisters of Mercy come to Chicago and in
honor of their leader, Mother Frances Xavier Warde, they open up Saint Francis
Xavier academy in downtown Chicago.
“first Mercy institution of higher education in the
world, first Catholic educational institution still present in Chicago, and one
of the oldest still operating educational institutions in the metropolitan
area.
1871: The Great Chicago Fire sweeps through the city,
Saint Xavier is in ruins
1873: The Sisters are determined not to give up and
they create a new temporary location until they can plan to open up a Catholic
college for women.
1915: Saint Francis Xavier College for women opens.
There was emphasis on religion, languages, mathematics, and history.
1935: Saint Xavier and Mercy Hospital integrate to
have the first nursing program in Illinois that is mixed with an education
program and hospital clinical practice to create an intensive four-year nursing
program
1956: Saint Xavier College moves to a new campus on
103rd Street and Central Park Avenue. The college separates from the
Academy and becomes McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
1969: Saint Xavier becomes coeducational; the first
male students enroll.
1992: Saint Xavier College becomes Saint Xavier
University
Critical Concerns:
“The Sisters of Mercy were founded out of a deep
concern for persons who are poor. Today, that commitment is focused on five
‘critical concerns’”
Earth: Working toward the sustainability of life.
Securing water for everyone, protecting impoverished communities, ensuring
regulations of land, air and water.
Immigration: Believe that everyone has the right to a
home, livelihood, education, and healthcare. We look at immigration laws and
reducing deportations.
Nonviolence: We support their reduction of arms,
armed conflict, preventing domestic violence, and human trafficking
Racism: We want to become an anti-racist
multicultural community. We advocate for a fair criminal justice system and
ending racism wherever it exists.
Women: We advocate for equal pay, services for
domestic violence victims, and the rights of women and girls in society.
Human Trafficking:
Touched
by God’s mercy and compassion and fired by the inspiration of the Gospel and
Catherine McAuley, Sisters of Mercy accompany, advocate, educate and
collaborate with others who strive for justice, in opposition to all forms of
human trafficking and exploitation.
IMAGES: on flashdrive
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