Motivated by her passion for the poor and her complete confidence in the Providence of God, Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy, a new congregation of women religious that soon became known as the "Walking Nuns."

An inheritance enabled Catherine, at the age of 50, to open the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland. It was opened on September 24, 1827, to provide shelter and education for poor women.

Impressed with Catherine's dedication and service, and her growing number of followers, the local Roman Catholic clergy urged Catherine to become a member of a religious order. She became the first Sister of Mercy on December 12, 1831.
At the time of her death in 1841, there were already 14 Mercy foundations in Ireland. Today, the Sisters of Mercy encircle the globe.

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