Catherine McAuley was born into a wealthy family in Ireland in 1778. Throughout her life she was  devoted to serving the poor, sick and uneducated of Dublin, Ireland. Catherine's father brought poor children to their home on weekends for instruction in the Catholic faith.  His commitment to serving the less fortunate influenced her compassion to serve. Catherine's mother taught her independence, poise and charm. After her mother's premature death Catherine went to live with the Callaghans. For twenty years she cared for them and their estate, grew closer to God through prayer and performed works of charity.

When the Callaghans died Catherine inherited their fortune and used the money to build the House of Mercy, in Dublin Ireland as a home for working girls and orphans and a school for poor children. Other women joined her calling and in 1831 Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy; an organization committed to the devotion of others. Soon they were invited to other parts of Ireland and England.

Two years after Catherine's death Frances Warde led the Sisters of Mercy to the United States. The Sisters of Mercy grew to be the largest order ever founded in an English speaking country. Within fifty years the circle of Mercy encompassed the world. 

On  April, 9th, 1990, after much research into Catherine's life and works, and lengthy discussion on all aspects of them, a Commission of Cardinals and Bishops in Rome agreed that she had led a life of heroic Christian virtue; this being so, they bestowed on her the title of Venerable Catherine McAuley......an indication that one day she may be declared a saint of the Church. Catherine was thus acknowledged a woman of God - one who simply followed the voice of Christ in relieving the suffering and injustices around her.