MERCY, THE BALLARAT CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF

MERCY, THE BALLARAT CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF

(RSM) 1881

The Ballarat Congregation had their Australian beginnings in the Victorian part of Warrnambool. Mother Agnes Graham and seven Sisters came from Ballyjainesduff in Co. Cavan to make a foundation at Warrnambool in 1872.

Many women joined the small band, and in 1881 Mother Agnes and some companions left Warrnambool to establish a foundation at Ballarat East.

Soon after their arrival in Ballarat the Sisters began instructing the girls of St. Alipius School with the intention of establishing a select school for those who were able to afford school fees so that the Sisters could finance the education of the poor. Visitation of the poor in their homes as well as the sick and the dying in the hospital, benevolent asylum and goal made the Sisters very busy women.

The Sisters developed their Sacred Heart College for girls with an emphasis on music, languages. Although the schools prospered, poverty was undoubtedly the lot of the nuns whose apostolate was immense, but it seems their faith was greater than their poverty.1

1 Forbes, Anne,P.10

Further Suggested Reading:

Forbes, Anne They came uninvited: A short history of Sacred Heart College, Ballarat East,

1881-1994. King’s; Ballarat C1994

Welsh, M.P. Convent of Mercy, Ballarat East 1881-1981. Ballarat 1981.

If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:

The Archivist

Congregation Sisters of Mercy

151 Victoria Street

Ballarat East VIC 3350

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.

Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.