The Sisters of Mercy
The History and Work of the Sisters of Mercy
In January 2018 Fr Willie Skehan organised the making of a special plaque, kindly paid for by former pupil and parishioner Terry O’Leary.
The plaque gives a brief history of the Sisters of Mercy in the East End and the history of our school. It also has the names of all the Sisters of Mercy who taught at St Mary and St Michael School.
The plaque was blessed at the 11am Mass on Sunday 21st January 2018. Sister Philomena – leader of Sisters of Mercy in the UK – and other members from the Sisters of Mercy were present along with Terry O’Leary and members of our governing body and staff.
On Monday 22nd January Year 1- 6 celebrated Mass together and the school was presented with the plaque by members of the Sisters of Mercy and Terry O’Leary.
The plaque is displayed in the school entrance and is a permanent reminder of the school’s history and how indebted we are to the Sisters of Mercy who have done, and still do, so much for our school and parish community.
Whilst the Sisters of Mercy no longer teach at St Mary and St Michael, as a school we strive to carry on their work and mission in our daily lives.
Interview with Sr Elizabeth
Year 6 interviewed Sister Elizabeth, a former headteacher of our school.
When and by whom was the Sisters of Mercy founded?
The Sisters of Mercy, (R.S.M.), which is a Roman Catholic religious congregation was founded in Dublin in 1831 by Catherine Elizabeth McAuley. By 1822 she had developed a programme for instructing and training poor girls, distributing food and clothing to the needy, and performing other works of mercy.
Do the sisters of Mercy have a motto?
The nuns of the Sisters of Mercy choose their own motto. Sister Elizabeth has 2:
- Behold the handmaid of the Lord – Sister explained that she wants to agree with what God wants her to do
- Jesus was silent.
Can you tell us about the Sisters of Mercy in Shadwell?
The Sisters of Mercy have been in the Shadwell for many years. They were first drafted in by the priests in the 1900s to teach in the schools. At the time, the church had a house near Marion Richardson School and the nuns who travelled from Ireland were housed there. The nuns taught in a junior school located in Lukin Street. At that time, they only taught in girls’ schools.
How can we carry on the work of the Sisters of Mercy in our school and daily lives?
To go out and carry out the works of Jesus and help people in the community.
What other work do/have the Sisters of Mercy been involved in in this area of London?
The main work of the Sisters of Mercy is to go out into the community. They have been involved in a lot of different work in London such as: visiting the sick in their home and working with homeless people.
How can we carry on the work of the Sisters of Mercy in our school and daily lives?
To go out and carry out the works of Jesus and help people in the community.
How long have the Sisters of Mercy been in this area?
163 years.
How has your foundress Sister Catherine McAuley inspired you?
I have never met Sister Catherine McAuley but if you meet a Sister of Mercy, you’ll meet Catherine. She inspired me to do good things and help people from all walks of life.
What is the link between the Sisters of Mercy and Providence Row?
Before Providence Row existed, the Sisters of Mercy used to own a building near Aldgate. Here they took in 100 homeless men and 100 homeless women at night and gave them shelter. Due to changes in Government regulation at the time, the building was closed and sold for £5 million. The Sisters then bought a building in Wentworth Street and Providence Row was founded.