Baggot St Dublin

Baggot St Dublin

Mercy International at Baggot St Dublin

Statues outside Baggot St

Well today I completed the circuit of the  foundresses of religious orders.

I had already visited Angers in France where Rose Pelletier found the Good Shepherd Sisters, and I had been to Fort  Williamin Scotland, which was  the hometown of Mary MacKillop's parents.

Then today I visited Baggot St in Dublin which is where Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy. I have to admit, my heart still holds a big chunk of space called "Mercy" so it was a bit like a homecoming for me. They even gave me a printout of my details of the time I spent in the Sisters of Mercy.

I had to get up early and catch the Number 18 bus to get there by 10am, but I managed that easily.Time for a quick coffee even before I arriveed at the Mercy International Centre.

I had already emailed Sylvia Williams who is a  Sister of Mercy from Melbourne who is currently working there, and she recommended the guided tour at 10am, so that was what I was heading for.

A lovely Irish sister called Sr Carita, who had spent 40 years at the Mater Hospital, was our guide and she did a splendid job. She reminded me very much of Marquita, who many of my Melbourne Mercy friends will remember from Ascot Vale days.

 I was joined on the tour by three other Aussies who had a connection to All Hallows in Brisbane,  and we started with a film about Catherine's life called Circle of Mercy,

Then we did a tour of the house and saw significant rooms, accompanied by the stories of Catherine and her companions

This  was Catherine's bedroom and also the room where she died. The floor boards are the original ones from the 1800s..

Predieu in Catherine's bedroom

Fireplace in Catherine's bedroom

Desk in Catherine's bedroom

Catherine's bedroom

We then went the "Bishop's Parlour" where much of the furniture was from the originaal building

Bishop's Parlour

Our next stop was the Chapel...

Baggot St Chapel

Jewels that were brought as dowry adorn the tabernacle

Painting of Our Lady of Mercy

Looking towards the organ in the Baggot St Chapel

Our final stop on the tour was to go outside to see Catherine's grave.

View of Catherine's grave

Where Catherine was buried

Another view of Catherine's grave. Note the Catherine McAuley roses in the forground.

At the end of the tour we were all given a "comfortable cup of tea" (or coffee) and some scones.

And of course there was always the ineveitable shop in case we would like some momentos  of our visit!

So it was a lovely morning and provided many reminders of the faith and charism of Catherine McAuley. A trip to Dublin would not be complete without a compulsory stop at Baggot St.

In the afternoon I had arranged to take Mary to her local shopping centre - Tallaght Square, where she had a few little jobs to do.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... with Mary at Tallaght Square

Mary at Tallaght Square

Tonight we are going to a memorial Mass for a teacher who taught John (Mary and Nicky's son).

Then tomorrow I take the car back, and that's the end of the penny section.

Wattle's Wanderings are hurtling towards a conclusion.

But there's still one more day! Making the most of every moment.