Celebrating 180 Years Since the Arrival of the First Sisters of Mercy in Australia
October 31, 2025
A Mass will be celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth on Thursday, January 8 to mark 180 years since the arrival of the first Sisters of Mercy in Australia and to give thanks for the tens of thousands of women and men who have been inspired by by Catherine McAuley’s expression of Mercy in the years that have followed.
Some 15 years after Catherine McAuley established the Sisters of Mercy, seven Mercy women arrived in Perth from Dublin in 1846. The group included six Sisters of Mercy and one lay woman and was led by Mother Ursula Frayne. Soon after their arrival, the Sisters became the first women’s religious order to establish a school in Australia when they opened what has now become known as Mercedes College.
In the years that followed, congregations of Sisters of Mercy were established in Australia by Sisters who arrived from other parts of Ireland, England and Argentina. Further foundations also grew out of these initial foundations both in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Sister Karon Donnellon, Leader of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, said January 8 will be a day of great celebration.
“We will commemorate and give thanks to God for the arrival of our particular charism of Mercy in Australia 180 years ago. When the Sisters arrived in 1846, Mercy had already been a vivid presence in this land for tens of thousands of years in the hearts, minds and actions of our Indigenous sisters and brothers.
“While the journey over the past 180 years has at times been imperfect, we express gratitude to the women and men who have been inspired by Catherine McAuley’s expression of Mercy to make a positive difference in the lives of others by being a merciful presence in changing times.”
Sister Karon said she was delighted that Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB will be the Principal Celebrant at the Mass.
“Everyone is most welcome to join us. Local Sisters and those visiting from various parts of the Institute will be in attendance. We also look forward to welcoming any current and former students and staff of Mercy schools and other Mercy ministries.”
Details
The Mass will commence at 10am on Thursday, January 8 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Victoria Square, Perth. Those unable to attend the Mass are encouraged to join us via the livestream which will be accessible from the Institute website – institute.mercy.org.au.
(1pm NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS/12.30pm SA/11am PNG and QLD/10am WA)