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Home , Bishop of Limerick, John Ryan (bishop), Poor Clares, Sisters of Mercy

Foundress of the , , 1838

Mother Elizabeth Moore, 1806-1868

Angela Bugler R.S.M.

Poverty and Destitution despair and universal misery hung over in Limerick the city. The plight of the population, residing in Limerick‘s Old Town in the Most Reverend Dr. , Bishop 1830s, was utterly incredible, so of Limerick, was painfully aware of the wretched and miserable was their lot. plight of his flock and duly concerned Extreme poverty with its attendant for them. He had heard of the wonderful afflictions of hunger and disease had left work that Catherine McAuley‘s sisters the people destitute. According to Rev. were doing for the poor in . In Thomas Enright, the curate in St. Mary‘s 1837, at the instigation of Miss Helena , no less than 25 families were Heffernan, a benevolent Limerick lady living in one house in 1834.1 who promised financial assistance, he besought Mother McAuley to establish a Henry D. Inglis, the English traveller foundation in Limerick. Having recently who visited Limerick in the same year, lost five sisters through death and gives a chilling account of his established foundations in and experiences during his visit and a lurid , Catherine had not a single sister to description of the scenes he witnessed spare. She promised, however, that there: ―I spent a day in visiting those when she had sisters to send, she would parts of the city where the greatest do so. destitution and misery were said to exist. I entered upwards of forty of the abodes to that time there had been of poverty; and to the latest hour of my religious communities in Limerick but, existence I can never forget the scenes of for one reason or another, they failed to utter and hopeless wretchedness that persevere there. In 1812 the Poor Clare presented themselves that day.… Some Order had established a foundation in the of the abodes I visited were garrets, historic Peter‘s Cell and soon opened a some were cellars; some were hovels on school there. Though contemplatives, the ground floor, situated in narrow they continued to teach poor children, yards, or alleys. I will not speak of the but owing to financial difficulties and filth of the places….The inmates, were the death of their in 1830, they some of them old, crooked, and had to disband. Three of the sisters, diseased; some younger, but emaciated, Anne Hewitt, Mary Shanahan and and surrounded by starving children; Catherine Shanahan remained on within some were sitting on the damp ground, their enclosure hoping and praying that some standing, and many were unable to God would send a community of to rise from their little straw heaps.‖2 In join them. Sadly, in 1834, Sr. Catherine addition, and resulting from such died a victim of the cholera plague that poverty, a pall of helplessness and had been devastating the city. Prior to that, in 1833, the came to Peter‘s Cell and worked in the 1 Courtney, Marie Therese, RSM. ―The Nuns of school. They struggled there for three St. Mary‘s‖ in Sisters of Mercy in Limerick. P.5 years, but seeing no prospect of 2 Inglis, Henry D. A Journey Throughout vocations they became discouraged and . Vol. 1, p .302 left. They re-settled subsequently in deemed necessary for young ladies at the Sexton Street, in another parish of the time. Dr. Michael Blake, her confessor city. Previously, in 1826, a group of and friend, desired that she should train Ursuline Sisters had founded a as a catechist and made her president of community in the North Strand, but they the Sunday school that he had too disbanded after three years. established in the parish of Michael and John. Bishop Ryan was hoping to secure the establishment of a community of Sisters Baggot Street of Mercy in Peter‘s Cell, the Poor Clare On Pentecost Sunday, June 10, 1832, Convent, and he was determined to Anne Moore entered the Sisters of brook no opposition to that plan. Mercy in Baggot Street on her 26th Meanwhile, haunted by the horrific birthday. She had previously entered the descriptions she had been hearing of the , but did not persevere poor in Limerick, Catherine McAuley there. She now joined the fledgling felt she had no choice but to accede to community of the Sisters of Mercy Bishop Ryan‘s request, sooner rather which consisted of Mother McAuley, the than later. She decided, therefore, to two sisters professed with her, the early make a foundation in Limerick as early Associates who had been received five as possible in 1838. The person who months previously and a few . would lead the sisters there would be the On October 8th she received the religious young and energetic Sister Elizabeth habit, taking as her patron , St. Moore.

Anne Moore Anne Moore was the daughter of James and Catherine Moore of St. James‘ Parish, Dublin. Born on Pentecost Sunday 1806, she was the only child in the family to have survived beyond infancy. Her father died when she was just seven years old. Anne spent much of her early years with her maternal grandmother who had some premonition about the little girl. It is said that on one occasion she laid her hand on her head and prayed: ―May God bless you, my child! You seem marked out for a great end.‖ 3

Anne received her education in a ladies‘ seminary conducted by ―the Misses Reynolds.‖ She possessed a good knowledge of English, French and Music and had a sweet singing voice. She acquired as much Arithmetic as was

3 (Carroll, Mary Austin, RSM). Leaves from the Annals of the Sisters of Mercy. Vol. 1, p.323. Elizabeth of who was Clare Convent in Limerick. Darkness renowned for deeds of charity. was beginning to fall and, because the laneway from the main street leading to Sister Elizabeth‘s formation the front entrance was too narrow and took place under the guidance of unsafe for a vehicle to turn in it, they had Catherine McAuley who was Novice to enter through a door in the garden Mistress from 1831-1835. The Rule was wall at the rear of the convent. not yet confirmed nor even completely written, but, having the foundress herself The two surviving Poor Clare Sisters, for her guide, she received a thorough Anne Hewitt and Mary Shanahan, who grounding in the principles and duties of had remained in their convent after the the religious life as well as experiencing departure of their companions eight and imbibing at first hand the charism of years previously, were waiting in the Mercy. She was professed on October 8 darkness at the garden door, with lighted 1834. candles in their hands, ready to give a big welcome to the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Elizabeth took part in all the Waiting with them was a young woman, activities and duties of the convent. Ellen Potter, who had been a in From the moment of her entry in 1832 Baggot Street, but who had to leave she accompanied Catherine McAuley to because of ill health. Now, her health Townsend Street to tend the victims of restored, she was determined to enter the cholera epidemic that was ravaging again, this time in Limerick. Dublin and the country at that time. There she saw the appalling Sisters Anne and Mary, who were wretchedness of the victims and overjoyed at the coming of the ―new witnessed the fervent devotedness of nuns,‖ gave them a warm welcome into Catherine and the sisters as they tended the convent. They had prayed and asked the sick. She learned, too, of the ―cure,‖ God to send them a community to which - heated port-wine - that they they could affiliate. They waited—and administered to the poor patients and their waiting was rewarded. After a which seemed to bring welcome relief. hearty meal and a good night‘s rest, they all assembled for prayer in the convent Two years after her Profession she was chapel. The story goes that during the placed in charge in Kingstown until she prayer the bell of St. Mary‘s parish was chosen by Catherine to be the church rang out for Mass. Catherine, of the new foundation in fearing that there would not be Mass in Limerick in 1838. the convent, stood up, beckoned to her sisters who followed her, donned their Arrival of the Sisters of Mercy street cloaks and went out to Mass. The in Limerick two Poor Clare sisters had never seen On the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, 24 religious leave the enclosure except in September 1838, at eight o‘clock in the their coffins. They were filled with evening, Catherine McAuley and her astonishment and came to the conclusion foundation party which comprised that, like the other congregations before Elizabeth Moore (superioress), Sister her that had come and gone, Mother Vincent Harnett, a novice, Eliza Liston, McAuley had changed her mind and had a postulant and Sister Aloysius Scott, (on taken her nuns back to Dublin! They loan for a time) came via Cork and began to sob and weep, as this, they felt, Charleville to Peter‘s Cell, the Poor was their last hope. When the chaplain came to say Mass they told him their sad root‖4 Two weeks later, on October 25, story. He assured them that they had in a letter to Sister Frances Warde, in been mistaken. Great was their delight Carlow, she informs her of the when Catherine and the sisters returned difficulties she is encountering in from Mass. Catherine had the highest Limerick, which, she feels needs her regard for the two whom she presence for longer than the usual considered to be two old saints. They month she was wont to spend with new were soon affiliated to the Mercy foundations: ―I cannot go for a full Congregation and became two month. No person of less experience wonderful Mercy sisters. Henceforth the could manage at present, and I am very convent would be called ―St. Mary‘s‖ insufficient for the task‖5 Later appalled by the hopeless condition of the poor, The door through which Catherine, she writes again to Frances Warde: ―The Elizabeth and the founding party entered poor here are in a most miserable state. had, until 1988 been indicated by a The whole surrounding neighbourhood statue of Our Lady. In that year, to mark (is) one scene of wretchedness and the sesquicentenary of the Limerick sorrow‖6 foundation, a mosaic was commissioned for the doorway, depicting the arrival of A more immediate cause of anxiety, the ―black‖ sisters (the Mercies) being however, was the obvious change in welcomed by the ―brown‖ sisters (the personality that had occurred in Mother Poor Clares) Elizabeth Moore, the superioress. The once staunch, brave and energetic Limerick Foundation – Initial Elizabeth seemed to have become a prey Anxieties to nervousness and timidity and did not There were initial anxieties regarding the seem at all equal to the role of Limerick foundation. Catherine, superioress. This was a cause of concern Elizabeth and the sisters soon realised to Catherine who referred to it in her the extent of the poverty, destitution, letter of October 25 to Sister Frances despair and universal misery that Warde: ―As for Sister Elizabeth surrounded them. Knowing that three (Moore), with all her readiness to congregations before them had failed to undertake it, we never sent such a faint- survive, Catherine must have wondered hearted soldier, now that she is in the whether they would be able to cope or field. She will do all interior and whether the same fate would befall her exterior work, but to meet on business, Sisters of Mercy as had befallen the confer with the Bishop, conclude with a other congregations. Sister - you might as well send the child that opens that door … she gets white as Writing to sister Teresa White in death and her eyes like fever.‖ She adds, Kingstown on 12 October, 1838, less however, ―She is greatly liked, and when than a month after arriving in Limerick, the alarms are a little over, and a few in Catherine pleads for prayers for the new the House, I expect all will go well.‖ 7 – foundation: ―Get the sisters to invoke their patron saints,‖ she writes, ―and implore saint Teresa, who loved 4 Bolster, Mary Angela, RSM. The foundations, to intercede for poor Correspondence of Catherine McAuley 1827- 1841, p.67 Limerick where no seed has yet taken 5 Ibid., p.69 6 Ibid., p.74 7 Ibid., p.69 an expectation that was to prove whose head, unlike the postulant‘s, was prophetic. covered by ―the holy veil‖8.

Hopeful Beginnings Catherine soon realised that the Not withstanding these anxieties the postulants ―would not do well until beginnings in Limerick were hopeful. attired in the Religious Dress ―and ―that Postulants began to arrive immediately. even the poor don‘t like the net caps All, including Elizabeth, gallantly rose to (postulants) so well to speak to them, but the challenge. The got turn to the others.‖9 Aware that the veil off to a quick start. At the convent, was all important to the people with soup, bread and meat were supplied whom the sisters were working, in the daily to the needy at appointed times; interest of the apostolate, she decided to visitation of the sick and needy in their dispense with the six months postulancy homes, both in the city and in the regulation and arranged for the reception suburbs, was carried out daily. The Poor of the three postulants who had entered School, already functioning under the since the sisters‘ arrival in Limerick Poor Clares was taken over by the some three months previously. The Sisters of Mercy; a House of Mercy for reception ceremony took place on 4 the protection and training of women December and attracted a huge crowd of was opened in the lower part of the local people and visitors. school as early as 19 November. The House of Mercy provided a safe Satisfied and filled with gratitude to God environment for girls, who were easily at that the work of Mercy in Limerick was risk loitering about the lanes. It gave progressing so favourably, Catherine them a religious and technical training decided that she could now depart. On and prepared them for gainful December 9 Mother McAuley bade employment. farewell to Limerick and returned to Baggot Street, not before leaving to Sunday school was soon established for Mother Elizabeth the now famous advice the factory workers. They came in their to a superior: ―Don‘t let Crosses Vex hundreds for instruction week after or Tease.‖ week. Mother Elizabeth Moore – The professed sisters were very well Worker for the Poor received by the people of Limerick and On Catherine‘s departure Elizabeth had their work greatly welcomed. There was to face up to the fact that now, she alone, little regard, however, for the postulants, was first in command. She would no as is evident from the story of the poor longer enjoy the supportive presence of woman who called to the convent asking Catherine. ―Lord what wilt Thou have to speak to one of the sisters to whom me to do‖ was the motto she had chosen she wished to tell her troubles. On being at her profession and which she had met by the postulant on duty who was inscribed on her ring. She was under no willing to offer a sympathetic ear, the illusion as to what the Lord would have woman was not impressed. She wanted her do. It was His will that she should to speak to one of the ―real nuns‖ one be the superioress of a new foundation

8 (Carroll, Mary Austin, RSM) Leaves from the Annals of the Sisters of Mercy Vol. 1, p.288 9 Bolster, Op. cit., p.74 with a ministry to a most impoverished sacraments. Many who attended these population. Aware of her limitations and classes were unable to make their inadequacies she knew that of herself confession in English. To deal with the she would not be equal to such a task, problem Mother Elizabeth took up the but she also knew that God is faithful to study of the Irish language. Helped by His promises and that if he wanted her to Sister Mary, the Poor Clare sister, who do this work He would equip her and spoke and read Irish fluently, and enable her to do it. With implicit faith in another sister, she compiled a simple God‘s promises and in His enabling catechism in Irish and the community power she made her own the words of spent their recreation hours learning how St. Paul ―I can do all things in Him who to instruct their pupils in the rudiments strengthens me.‖ She successfully of the faith through the medium of the continued the works already begun by Irish language. Catherine and courageously embarked on new ministries, her single minded aim By 1843 Mother Elizabeth had received being the relief of the crippling misery of permission to visit the prisons of the poor people of Limerick. Any Limerick and prison ministry became an initiative that could benefit them was important aspect of the work of Mercy. resolutely undertaken. Elizabeth and others spent long hours with prisoners, including those Following a visit to Limerick by Fr. condemned to be hanged. The Limerick Matthew, the Apostle of Temperance, Annals tell of her visits to a woman and Mother Elizabeth proudly wore her condemned to death for having assented Temperance Badge. She established The to the murder of her husband. Elizabeth Christian Doctrine Society for Adults, visited her every day, even during the making it a condition of membership to August retreat, preparing her for death, take the pledge. It numbered about 400 until she was finally executed.10 women. Every Sunday the members Visitation of the hospitals was also who were rapidly increasing met in the undertaken and patients looked forward ―Cell‖ and, having listened to a to the sisters‘ visits. stimulating instruction and joined in some short prayer, they received books To counteract the proselytising of poor from the library established for the use catholic children who were suffering of the members. A small sum of money from famine and disease, Mother was paid by the richer members each Elizabeth was concerned that good week, out of which a modest loan fund religious instruction would be given in was formed, from which poorer the Poor School in Saint Mary‘s. She members could borrow, interest free, to also took the unusual step, at that time, set themselves up in little businesses and of establishing out-schools when an to help earn a frugal livelihood. The sick opportunity presented itself—one in received a weekly sum. Financial aid Pery Square and later, one in Back Clare was frequently given from the fund to Street. The sisters travelled out from cover the funeral expenses of deceased their convent to these schools and were members. The initiative was a veritable glad to suffer the many inconveniences Credit Union cum social club. of travel, lack of space, unsuitable rooms and lack of ventilation, when it meant A night school was opened where religious instruction was given to adults 10 Annals Sisters of Mercy, Limerick 1859-1875, to prepare them for the reception of the Vol. 2, p.116 serving and saving poor catholic children campus and was managed by the Sisters of the city. of Mercy.

The outbreak of the cholera epidemic in Seeing the need for well paid local Limerick in August 1849 proved a employment, Elizabeth Moore embarked daunting challenge to Mother Elizabeth on a project of lace making. She had and her community. Having been informed that if she could succeed experienced the trauma of the victims in in getting Valenciennes lace made it Townsend Street during her postulancy, would be a very financially rewarding Elizabeth was well equipped both industry. Consequently, she employed emotionally and professionally to deal two teachers from to teach the with the situation in Limerick. She sent craft to local girls, who when they her sisters to the two hospitals which mastered the craft, were paid according were given over entirely for cholera to the quality and quantity of their patients - St. John‘s and Barrington‘s. output. Two Sisters supervised the work Four sisters went to each hospital each and became proficient lace-makers. day and remained overnight in active Eventually, however, there was constant attendance on the patients. difficulty in finding a stable market for a They were relieved by four others in sufficient quantity of the lace to make it each hospital who took over from them a viable project, and so the industry had next day. This continued for a whole to be abandoned. Limerick lace was also month. Elizabeth herself, as she had taught successfully in the orphanage, but seen Catherine McAuley doing in that too, had to be discontinued for Townsend Street, visited the patients health reasons. each day and administered the ‗cure‘ that was so effective with the victims there. Always on the alert for any work or A further outbreak of cholera in 1854, project that could give employment to though not as severe, again made its the women and girls of the city, Mother demands on the sisters. Elizabeth went Elizabeth, as Mother Assistant, secured a daily to all the wards, though now her government contract for the making of own health was beginning to fail. shirts for the Navy. Tait‘s factory supplied the cut out garments and the Mother Elizabeth‘s next venture was the finished work was returned there. The opening of an orphanage in 1850 on the contract was lucrative for the orphans southern side of the city. A large and young women of the House of convent, known as Mount. St. Vincent‘s, Mercy and also for housewives who took was soon built on the site in which 250 on the work which earned them a much children were housed and trained for needed income. suitable jobs. Orphans who previously had been housed in a portion of the In 1861 Mother Elizabeth was requested House of Mercy were transferred to the by Lord Monsell to take charge of the new building. Workhouse Hospital so that the poor might have proper and kind On receiving an endowment in 1861 treatment. In reply to his request, from Fr. William O‘Meara, a Franciscan Mother Elizabeth is reported to have said priest, Mother Elizabeth established a ―that since the object of her order was to house for poor widows which was attend the sick she could not refuse any located on the Mount Saint Vincent proposition of the sort made which was to nurse the sick in the Workhouse, because if she did she would be acting indomitable courage she and her sisters inconsistently with the spirit of the worked with energy, sharing what they order.‖ 11 In due course, the Sisters of had with the poor of the city and Mercy took on this additional charge. appealing on their behalf for aid, financial and otherwise. In this way she Foundations laid the foundation of the many social While Mother Elizabeth gave total services that, not until years later, were commitment to the poor of Limerick she provided by the State. was not unmindful of the needs of other places. When requests came, therefore, Mother Elizabeth was fortunate that in from Bishops and priests in other all her enterprises she had the full dioceses she readily responded with support of Most Rev. Dr. John Ryan, characteristic generosity of spirit. The . From his initial first foundation from St. Mary‘s was meeting with her, Bishop Ryan believed made in Kinsale (1844); followed by in her worth and encouraged and others in Killarney (1844); Mallow supported her every undertaking, both (1845); (1849); Roscommon morally and often financially, placing no (1853); (1854); Edinburgh (1858). restraint on her save the injunction not to Mother Elizabeth accompanied the incur debt. Equally, she had the support sisters to the new foundations and stayed of the people of Limerick who in the with them for the usual month. Due to latter years of her leadership rallied to ill health, however, she was unable to her assistance in an extraordinary way. travel to Edinburgh, but visited the On hearing of her plans for new projects community the following year. By the they formed committees to support the time she had established the seventh ventures. Mother Elizabeth was blessed, foundation she had parted with some above all, in that her community was thirty-seven of her sisters who had lived growing rapidly. Each year many and worked with her in St. Mary‘s. The talented and enthusiastic young women biggest sacrifice of all was the loss of Sr. requested to be admitted, thus enabling Vincent Harnett whom she sent as her to take on ministries she felt were superioress to Roscommon. She had needed. come from Baggot Street with her in 1838 and had been her Assistant from Side by side with such blessings and the beginning. successes, however, was the inevitable shadow of the cross. Financial Expansion of the community in Limerick difficulties were there in plenty; more had also been undertaken with Branch work than it was possible to accomplish Houses being established in Mount. St. seemed ever to await her; her own ill Vincent (1850); Newcastlewest (1850); health and the sickness and untimely (1850); (1854) and City deaths of sisters were painful realities, Home and Hospital (1861). The timidity especially the death of Sr. Teresa Potter that had assailed Mother Elizabeth in her who went to her reward just three early days in Limerick was long gone months after her profession. Painful too, and had given way to a fearless was the parting with many of her finest determination to answer the call of sisters to make foundations elsewhere. Mercy from wherever it came. With Not the least of her sorrows was the death of Bishop Ryan, her faithful friend 11 Courtney, ―Cholera Ravages Limerick.‖ In and supporter. Sisters of Mercy in Limerick. P.40 Mother Elizabeth‘s achievements in As a superioress Mother Elizabeth would ministry were truly remarkable. The have been considered strict and exacting, annals tell us that ―she sought not herself a no-nonsense woman who prized highly to get up additional works, but did not the gift of a religious vocation and refuse any that were proposed to her believed passionately in the religious when compatible with the spirit of the life. She felt it her duty to encourage the order, and that she could prudently sisters under her care to live up to the undertake them. She ever calmly awaited high ideals of their religious calling. the will of the Most High, which she Deeply interested in their spiritual executed promptly when it was made growth she inculcated in them the manifest; neither did she readily give up practice of solid religious virtues and anything once undertaken for God‘s urged them to have but one object in honour, no matter what trials attended its view in all their activities—God Alone. execution.‖12 Fidelity to prayer and the cultivation of a deep interior life, strict adherence to the This is the greatness of Elizabeth Moore. common life and the cultivation of a Through an expectant faith in God‘s strong community spirit - these she saw enabling power she seemed to go beyond as the best safeguards to the religious her natural capacity and moved from life. being the ―faint hearted soldier‖ of a few months previous to being a fearless Gossip of any kind, within or without of leader ready to conduct business and the convent, remarks about sisters or confer with bishop, priest and nobleman. curiosity about the financial state of their families, Mother Elizabeth intensely If reflecting on her life has any message abhorred. These, she felt, were the real for us today, it must surely be to take enemies of community and the religious God at His word, as she did, and to spirit. She preferred to hear of the faults believe that if he wants us to do His of a sister from her own lips rather than work, He will enable us. from another sister. She advocated uniformity and was averse to any Mother Elizabeth Moore — singularities in dress, possessions or The Superioress behaviour. It was her wish that all Extending the Mercy Congregation to should work, pray and recreate together. other counties and countries as well as Similarly, privileges of any kind, furthering the apostolate in Limerick expected by sisters or their relatives, undoubtedly engaged much of Mother were rarely, if ever, forthcoming. This, Elizabeth‘s time and energy. Yet these in particular, earned for Mother activities in no way took from her Elizabeth the reputation of ―strictness,‖ commitment to her role as superior of but though she was aware of this, she her community which involved the never capitulated when her conscience management of the convent affairs and dictated a certain course of action. the spiritual and temporal care of the sisters in her charge. This responsibility A maxim that she frequently instilled in she took very seriously. the sisters was that ―a religious should be so recollected as ever to know what she was saying and doing.‖ Another

12 Annals Sisters of Mercy, Limerick 1859-1875 Vol. 2, p.89 favourite was ―one should be seen before veneration.‖15 Proof of this ‗veneration‘ she would be heard.‖13 was the fact that she held office as Rev. Mother for twenty-four consecutive Unusual for her time, perhaps, she years. Her last twelve years in office generally ensured that sisters were were by special rescripts from Rome, at employed according to their capabilities the request of the sisters. Even when, and for works to which they were suited through declining health in 1862, she and had a desire to do. asked not to be re-elected, the sisters voted her in as Assistant Rev. Mother. For the first five years of her superiorship Mother Elizabeth was also It would seem then, that Mother Novice Mistress, taking charge of the Elizabeth‘s popularity as superioress was formation of the novices and postulants because of the woman that she was, a from 1838 – 1843. She was equally woman of transparent integrity and of attentive to the religious development of sterling qualities of character which the the young people as to that of the sisters recognised in her. She could community sisters. She attended to their afford to be exacting on her sisters physical and spiritual needs, read their because she practised what she preached morning lecture, and gave the special and never asked any sister to do what instruction for one/two months before she herself was not prepared to do, reception and profession. The annalist leading by example as much as by tells us that ―she sometimes managed to command or precept. ―Her appearance do this from 7 o‘clock to 7.25 in the and manners were those of a perfect morning as the community Mass was not religious…calm, earnest, well regulated; celebrated until 7.30 a.m. in the early her movements were noiseless, easy and years. She did this, when possible, so as self possessed. Without effort and with to be free for the various and unforeseen total absence of anything like pomp, her calls she had to meet during the rest of whole comportment and look inspired the day as Mother Superior.‖ 14 reverence and esteem.‖16

Mother Elizabeth Moore – The Though firm and strict she was just and Woman fair and had no favourites, qualities in a Despite Mother Elizabeth‘s reputation of leader that any group would appreciate. strictness and the demand for uniformity Despite certain aloofness in appearance and for an unflinching observance of all she was compassionate and tender to the that was conducive to the religious ideal, point of shedding tears when told of the there is no mention in the Annals that sufferings of the poor. When sisters sisters resented her leadership or that were ill and needed support they could they felt in any way oppressed by it. On rely on her sympathy and love. A the contrary, there is frequent reference woman of her word, she never made a to the admiration, respect and esteem promise that she did not fulfil. that the sisters had for her. ―They were Intellectually, she was well endowed, warmly attached to her‖ we read ―and though she was more practical than looked up to her with instinctive philosophical in her approach to life. In the words of her successor, Rev. Mother

13 Annals Sisters o f Mercy, Limerick 1859-1875 , Vol.2, p.93 15 Ibid., p. 97 14 Ibid., p. 92 16 Ibid., p.93 Clare McNamara, ―she had a noble Mother Elizabeth kept all the letters that mind.‖ 17 Catherine wrote to her between 1839 and 1840 and read them at intervals to the Her most outstanding characteristic was Sisters. On December 12 each year, a profound and wholesome humility that which she always held as a holiday, the allowed her to see her true self, as she sisters gathered around the wreathed was, with her limitations and her gifts. portrait of Catherine and recited a poem Her humility was apparent in her in her honour, specially composed for dealings with the sisters. With them she the occasion. was totally unpretentious, had no desire for power or for pomp of any kind. On Catherine‘s letters to Elizabeth give us many occasions she gave proof of this an insight into her love and affection for humility, such as sending for a sister at a Elizabeth and into the unique friendship Branch House for the sole purpose of that existed between them, even to the expressing her fears that she had spoken use of the familiar name of ―Kitty‖ which, evidently, outside of her own to her too strongly earlier. Her humility 19 was evident too, in her obedience to the family, was used only by Elizabeth . It new Rev. Mother who was, in fact, her was at Elizabeth‘s request that Mother own novice. McAuley wrote her account of the origins and development of the Mercy Mother Elizabeth was capable of deep Congregation. friendship, was very loyal to the sisters and to her friends and, in turn, had Elizabeth had the privilege and many loyal friends. consolation of being with Catherine during her last illness and at her death. She witnessed her last words of Relationship with instruction and encouragement to the Catherine McAuley sisters and supported her in prayer as she Elizabeth had a great love and passed to eternity. To Elizabeth we owe veneration for Catherine McAuley. She an account of Catherine‘s illness and was Catherine‘s own novice and lived in death together with the words of Baggot Street from 1832 to 1837. A Catherine‘s Suscipe, 20 now so frequently deep and lasting friendship developed prayed and sung worldwide. between these two great women. To the end of her days Elizabeth fondly First General Chapter of the cherished Catherine‘s maxims and practices: ―when speaking of our Sisters of Mercy Foundress, or referring to the early days It was Mother Elizabeth‘s loyalty and of the Order, an expression of peculiar devotion to Mother McAuley and to the pleasure and interest beamed over her religious practices that the foundress laid countenance. It was a subject that down for the congregation that prompted seemed always new and untiring to her; her insistence on uniformity and one that she longed to dwell on and adherence to the rule and customs and detail over and over to her children.‖ 18 which earned for her the reputation of strictness. It is quite probable that, in the

19 Sullivan, Mary C. Catherine McAuley and the 17 Annals Sisters of Mercy, Limerick 1850-1875, Tradition of Mercy. “Mary Elizabeth (Anne) Vol. 2, p. 90 Moore, 1806- 1868,‖ Chapter 9, p. 251 18 Ibid., p. 100 20 Sullivan, Op. Cit., p. 253 early days in Baggot Street, Elizabeth attended by some nineteen and the other members of the community representatives from Ireland and would have been involved with . Mother Francis Bridgeman, Catherine in establishing the customs to who, twenty years previously, had left be observed and would have known the Limerick to establish a foundation in thinking behind each one. It is no Kinsale, compiled a document for wonder then that she desired to preserve discussion, enlarging on the Baggot these in their integrity as well as the street draft of 1846. religious spirit that animated them. Other superiors thought likewise and The Chapter was considered very were anxious that a General Chapter of successful and resulted in the production the congregation should be convened to of a small edition of the Guide or discuss the matter of customs and Directory which was confirmed by the produce a Guide that would consolidate votes of all present. Mother Elizabeth all that had been established by the was satisfied that, at last, there was a foundress. It was intended that such a Directory that would regularise customs meeting would take place in the Mother for the houses of the congregation House in Baggot Street. In 1846, in regardless of where they were located. preparation for the envisaged Chapter, the superioress of Baggot Street, Mother Cecilia Marmion, drew up a draft Illness and death of Mother document for discussion. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Moore due to various circumstances and the A life of intense labour for the spread of death of the Mother Cecilia, the Chapter God‘s Kingdom in Limerick and further was not convened at that time. Almost afield, coupled with the inevitable stress twenty years later, in 1864 the need for and strain of twenty-four years in such a Chapter became more pressing. administration, eventually took its toll on The congregation was expanding and Mother Elizabeth. many of the pioneering sisters of the congregation were dispersing, some to Though she suffered for many years make foundations in foreign lands, from a complication of diseases, it was others passing to their eternal reward. only in the last five or six years of her Mother Elizabeth, now Mother Assistant life that her medical condition became and Mother Clare, her superioress, were more acute. She seemed to exhibit an increasingly anxious that, despite such increasing nervous debility that affected changes, the original spirit of the her whole system, (which today we congregation would be maintained. They would call total burn-out) and suffered again became active in progressing the from a painful swelling in her feet that matter of convening a Chapter. As it could only be relieved by rest. Despite was not feasible to hold it in Baggot failing health, however, she tried to the Street, it was agreed that it would be end to be engaged, as far as possible, in held in Limerick from 8 to 19 March the ministries of the community and to 1864, hosted by Mother Clare and carry out the daily tasks to the best of her Mother Elizabeth. Accordingly, ability. As her condition worsened, she invitations to attend were sent to the was forced to cut down on her activities. superioresses in Ireland, England and Making light of her suffering she would . Mother Elizabeth, though no jokingly remark ―Considering that the longer superioress, was chosen to chair whole machine is past repair I get on the Chapter sessions which were wonderfully well and may hobble on a God and His poor representatives amidst few years yet‖ 21 or in reference to her the miseries of roofless garrets or swollen feet: ―my understanding has noisome cellars.‖24 She was interred in again rebelled and I have been ordered to the convent cemetery under a beautiful keep still.‖22 willow tree that she had loved to admire and contemplate during her lifetime. The Gradually, the end was approaching and Sisters intended to erect a mortuary she knew it, though the sisters, in denial, Chapel over her grave to honour her failed to see that she was in her death memory, but lack of space proved an illness. Confined to bed for some two obstacle to the idea. Some time later the weeks in January of 1868 she waited cemetery needed to be extended. In the with great patience and calmness for the course of the work it was found that the Lord‘s call home. The sisters, now in no roots of the willow tree were damaging doubt about the gravity of her illness, the coffins and it had to be cut down. kept constant vigil at her bedside, prayed Mother Elizabeth‘s remains were with her and tried to relieve her bodily exhumed from the first grave and re- and mental suffering. At the request of interred in a new grave lined with mason Rev. Mother Clare she prayed a blessing work. To-day, a large Celtic cross in the on each sister, on the houses she had centre of the extended cemetery marks founded, on the whole Mercy the grave of this humble but great Congregation and on the novices to woman. whom she gave this parting advice: ―Avoid small sins, mind little things and Tributes cultivate purity of heart.‖ 23 Innumerable Masses were offered for the repose of Mother Elizabeth‘s soul in St. Finally, having received the last Mary‘s Convent and all over the diocese. sacraments, on January 19 1868 - the Tributes poured in from convents and feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, her friends at home and abroad. ―Of favourite feast, at 2.40 in the afternoon, Elizabeth Moore‖ wrote her friend, Mother Elizabeth Moore went to her Monsignor Richard O‘Brien, Dean and eternal reward. Vicar General of Limerick, ―everything can be said that could be said of Funeral and Burial devotion untiring, fine conceptions of Her funeral was a celebration of her religious and educational progress and spiritually rich and selfless life. His wonderful success … She had all the Lordship, Bishop Butler, celebrated the quiet enthusiasm of faith and love and Requiem Mass. Clergy from all over the calculating prudence that made great diocese and the sisters from St. Mary‘s enthusiasm great virtue.‖ 25 and the Branch Houses together with seculars, rich and poor, from the city It is, however, in the City Journal‘s accompanied her remains to the convent report of her death that one captures the cemetery, bidding a final good bye to the feelings of the people of Limerick for woman who ―quitted the world to serve 24 ―Death and Funeral Obsequies of Mrs Moore, in Religion, Mother Mary Elizabeth, at the 21 Carroll, Op. cit., p.338 Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Peter‘s Cell.‖ 22 letter from Mother Elizabeth Moore to Sr. M. Paper cutting from the City Journal, Limerick de Chantal Meagher, 1857 (January 1868) 23 Annals Sisters of Mercy, Limerick 1859-1875, 25 O‘ Brien, Richard Baptist. An Eight-Day Vol. 2, p. 102 Retreat. P. xii Mother Elizabeth: ―Death has just , Catholic Publication removed from amongst us one of the Society,1881. noblest champions of Christian Charity, Courtney, Marie Therese, RSM.. “The one of the most self-sacrificing of Nuns Of St Marys.” Sisters of beings… who has served to raise Mercy in Limerick. Limerick to the lofty position it occupies Limerick, 1988. ( Article first in the estimation of the entire Catholic published in the Limerick world …. The bereavement is one which Leader, 27 August 1988). saddens not only the religious community of which …. (she) was ______“Fearless Mother Elizabeth foundress … but the thousands of the Moore”. Sisters of Mercy in poor to whom she assiduously Limerick. Limerick, 1988 ministered, … the sick and afflicted of .( Article first published in the whom she was the constant consoler and Limerick Leader 15 October aider, … the children of the many 1988) schools over which she presided with ______“Cholera in Limerick.” Sisters unceasing vigilance.‖ 26 of Mercy in Limerick. Limerick, 1988 The greatest tribute of all that could be (Article published in the paid to Mother Elizabeth would surely Limerick Leader 15 October, be that we, her spiritual daughters, 1988.) would give evidence in our lives of the Inglis, Henry D. Journey spirit that she laboured to inculcate in the Throughout Ireland During sisters of her day and that to all whose the Spring, Summer and lives we touch we would be a sign of rd God‘s eternal love. Autumn of 1864, Vol.1, 3 ed. London, Whittaker & Co., Ave Bibliography Maria Lane, 1835. Annals Sisters of Mercy, Limerick McAuley, Catherine. Letters of 1838-1859;Vol.1.; 1859-1875. Mother Catherine McAuley to Vol.2. Archives, Convent of Mother Elizabeth Moore. Mercy,Westbourne, Limerick Limerick, 1838- 1840 . (ALim.). (ALim.). Moore, Elizabeth. Letters of Elizabeth Bolster, Mary Angela, RSM. The Moore to Sr. M. de Chantal Correspondence of Catherine Meagher, 1847-1865. ALim McAuley, 1827-1841. Cork, O’Brien, Richard Baptist. An Eight Congregation of the Sisters of Day Retreat, Principally Mercy, Dioceses of Cork and Intended For the Sisters of Ross, 1989. Mercy and the Active Orders. (Carroll, Mary Austin, RSM). Leaves Dublin, John F. Fowler, 1868. From The Annals of the Paper Cuttings from the City Journal, Sisters of Mercy. Vol.1. New Limerick, (January,1988 ) ALim. Sullivan, Mary C. Catherine McAuley and the Mercy 26 ―Death and Funeral Obsequies of Mrs Moore, Tradition, Dublin, Four Courts in Religion, Mother Mary Elizabeth, at the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Peter‘s Cell.‖ Press, 1999 Paper cutting from the City Journal, Limerick (January 1868)