Editing Sisters of Mercy (section)

===Founding===
The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy began when [[Catherine McAuley]] used an inheritance to build a large house on Baggot Street, [[Dublin]], as a school for poor girls and a [[homeless shelter]] for servant girls and women. Local women assisted in the works of the house. There was no idea then of founding a religious institution; McAuley's plan was to establish a society of secular ladies who would spend a few hours daily in instructing the poor. Gradually the ladies adopted a black dress and cape of the same material reaching to the belt, a white collar and a lace cap and veil.

In 1828, [[Daniel Murray (bishop)|Archbishop Daniel Murray]] advised McAuley to choose some name by which the little group might be known, and she chose that of "Sisters of Mercy", having the design of making the works of mercy the distinctive feature of the institute. She desired that the members should combine with the silence and prayer of the [[Carmelite]], the active labors of a [[Sister of Charity]]. The position of the institute was anomalous, its members were not bound by vows nor were they under a particular rule.

Archbishop Murray asked the Sisters of Mercy to declare their intentions as to the future of their institute, whether it was to be classed as a [[religious congregation]], or to become secularized. The associates unanimously decided to become religious. It was deemed better to have this congregation unconnected with any already existing community.<ref name=Austin/>

On the [[Octave (liturgy)|Octave]] of the [[Ascension of Jesus|Ascension]], 1829, the archbishop blessed the chapel of the institution and dedicated it to Our Lady of Mercy. This combination of the contemplative and the active life necessary for the duties of the congregation called forth so much opposition, that it seemed as though the community of twelve must disband; but it was settled that several of the sisters should make their novitiates in some approved religious house and after their profession return to the institute to train the others to religious life.

The [[Presentation Sisters]], whose rule was based on the [[Rule of St. Augustine]], seemed best adapted for the training of the first novices of the new congregation and McAuley, Elizabeth Harley and Anna Maria Doyle began their novitiate at George's Hill, Dublin, on 8 September 1830.<ref name=Austin/> While they were in training, [[Mary Francis Xavier Warde| Frances Warde]] managed the affairs of the Baggot Street house.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15553a.htm Austin, Mary Stanislas. "Mary Francis Xavier Warde." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 30 January 2020{{PD-notice}}</ref>

On 12 December 1831, Catherine McAuley, Mary Ann Doyle, and Elizabeth Harley professed their religious vows as the first three Sisters of Mercy, thereby founding the congregation. In 1839, [[Mary Francis Bridgeman]] professed her vows and joined the congregation