The first Mercy Convent was established in Callan in 1872. Seven sisters came from Athy at the invitation of Dr. Patrick Moran, Bishop of Ossory. They took up residence in Callan Lodge. The bishop’s first objective in bringing the sisters to Callan was to help in restoring peace and tranquility to the parish torn as it was by strife and division from Callan schism. In those days, Callan like many other towns was poverty-stricken. The Sisters immediately began their apostolate among the poor, the sick and the uneducated.
They visited and cared for the sick and needy in their homes and in the Callan Workhouse. They soon won the hearts of the people, and they were regarded as “Ministering Angels”. The sisters extended this ministry to Kilkenny workhouse in 1875.
The Apostolate of Education was begun by the Mercy Sisters in Callan Lodge in 1873 and has developed into the present Primary and Secondary Schools in Callan. Schools were also opened by the sisters in Thomastown (1891)
and in Ballyragget (1909).
A Missionary School was opened in Callan in 1884 and operated until 1959. Over 2,000 girls were prepared here for life with various congregations in the missions.
In 1888 nine sisters left Callan for Parramatta, Sydney, to be followed by the Canadian Foundation in 1957.
Mercy Ossory Union took place in 1973 and Mercy Ireland Amalgamation in 1994.
The Sisters of Mercy today like their Foundress are women who “examine the signs of the times”. Today Sisters maintain a presence in the fields of education, social and pastoral work, visiting the sick and working in the Parish.
Southern Province 