Agnes O’Connor can be regarded as a founding member of the Sisters of Mercy at Baggot Street since she entered only six years after the congregation started. In 1844, Cecilia Marmion (then the Superior in Baggot Street) appointed Agnes as the Superior of the convent at Queen’s Square, London. This was the fifth Convent of Mercy in England and the first in central London.

Agnes O’Connor is best known as the founder of the Sisters of Mercy in New York. She led the founding party from Dublin to New York in 1846. From New York, she sent sisters to Brooklyn in 1855 and to St. Louis in 1856. In 1863, she sent the sisters to establish a foundation at St. John’s Greenbush (Rensselaer, New York). This led to the founding of the Albany Community, which expanded quickly and gave rise to other branches and ministries.

Mary was the youngest of Patrick and Mary O'Connor's 10 children, born in Kilkenny, Ireland. Agatha Smith describes her as a “well-known socialite” who, at the age of 22, joined Catherine McAuley’s new Congregation, founded in 1831. Smith writes, “Although a gifted conversationalist and lively, Mother M. Agnes had a real attraction for prayer and silence.” She was also described as a “warm-hearted, benign creature.”

Agnes and Catherine McAuley maintained a close friendship until Catherine’s death in 1841. She was trained by Catherine, and she was among those to receive a blessing from Catherine during her last hours.

In London, Agnes reached out to destitute Catholics. While education was the most urgent need in New York, Agnes followed in Catherine’s footsteps in founding Houses of Mercy and in establishing a wide range of Mercy works in the foundations that were made in New York and beyond. 

In later years, Agnes developed a serious eye problem, which severely limited her capacity to work. Although she was an able administrator, she faced many challenges in establishing foundations whose members went out to minister rather than stay in the confines of their convents. 

From a few foundations directly established in Ireland, the Sisters of Mercy spread extensively throughout America. This was made possible, in part, by Agnes.

A great number of ministries in education and health were established over the years, and many of these continue to the present day. It is worth nothing that a large number of these ministries are currently coming up with new and innovative ways to meet the needs of today.

Healy, Kathleen.  Frances Warde: American Founder of the Sisters of Mercy.  United States of America, 1973.