Ursula Frayne was an extraordinary woman. Even by today's standards, her journey to establish Mercy Foundations would appear exceptional. She is best known as the woman who led the first Mercy Foundation to Australia, coming to Perth (WA) in 1846 with seven companions. Ursula was the eleventh woman to be professed by Catherine McAuley in 1835. She was a teacher but also an excellent administrator, and she engaged in a wide range of the works of Mercy. In 1837, Catherine selected Ursula to be part of a new Mercy foundation in Carlow. In 1842, she was sent as superior to St. John’s Newfoundland very soon after the death of Catherine, but returned from there in 1843, at least partly because of conflict with the bishop.  In 1845, she left Dublin for Perth, Australia, where she established a foundation in very difficult circumstances. In 1857, in response to an invitation from the Bishop of Melbourne, she and two other sisters made the arduous journey from Perth to Melbourne, establishing at Fitzroy the first of many foundations in Victoria, Australia. 

Clara Mary Frayne was born in Dublin around 1816 or 1817 to Robert and Bridget Frayne and appears to have been the youngest child in a large family. Catherine Killerby writes, “By Dublin’s standards, Clara Frayne had a privileged childhood despite the restrictions placed on Catholics.” (Killerby 1996, p. 17). Clara was 14 when Catherine McAuley founded the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, and she joined at the age of 16.

Catherine McAuley was Ursula’s mistress of novices. Throughout her life, Ursula demonstrated the highest level of regard for Catherine's intentions, adhering to the rule despite criticism from some bishops. Ursula and her companions made significant contributions to education, healthcare, and a wide range of the works of Mercy. Like Catherine, she was also a very good administrator. Ursula is mentioned frequently in Catherine McAuley's correspondence, indicating that Catherine held her in high regard.

Given the challenges she encountered, Ursula proved herself to be a remarkably strong woman. In St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Perth, she found herself at odds with bishops about the authority vested in the leader of the foundation. In St. John's, Perth, and Melbourne, she worked in conditions that were quite basic in comparison to Dublin. She had a feisty personality and was a strong leader, with the trust and support of the sisters with whom she worked.

From Melbourne, Ursula founded Mercy convents across Victoria and Tasmania, delivering Mercy's works to many people in those states. Both the Perth and Melbourne Congregations established a wide range of Mercy Institutions, particularly in education, health, aging care, and social services.  Sisters from Ursula's numerous foundations have joined the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). At the time of this writing, many of the institutional works have come under the authority of MercyCare and Mercy Ministry Companions, Public Juridic Persons (under Canon law) established for the purpose of taking forward these ministries. In addition to institutional work, the Sisters of Mercy have been active in diverse ministries. 

Berenice M Kerr RSM, The Land That I Will Show You: History of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia 1981 - 2011 (Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia, 2011).

Catherine Kovesi Killerby, Ursula Frayne: A Biography, 1st ed. (The University of Notre Dame Australia, 1996)