History

The South Central Province of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy came into being at the first congregational chapter in 1994. It comprised five former independent congregations - Dublin, Kildare and Leighlin, Cashel and Emly, Limerick and Killaloe. The first provincial chapter was held in 1955. 740 Sisters live in 130 communities/ units in urban and rural settings. The N7 national roadway runs through the province like a spine, so from east to west the expanse is more than Rush to Kilrush. South Central has a mission community in Brazil and was closely linked to Kenya which was a vice-province until 2000. Also, during the first six years as a province we had sisters working in Pakistan, in Iceland, in Rome and in Jersey.

South Central has four new members at initial formation stage. It has also recently witnessed the canonical transfer of twenty five Mercy sisters from Auckland, New Zealand.

Many of the earliest Mercy houses are in this province - Baggot St, Coolock, Booterstown, Carlow, Naas, Limerick, Birr - and a great sense of a vibrant continuity with the early sisters still prevails.

 

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