Mother Vincent Whitty

Serving as Whitty's spiritual guide through her novitiate, Catherine McAuley was extremely close to her and requested Mother Vincent to sit by her side in her dying hours.

Involved in the planning of the Mater Hospital in Dublin, Whitty was especially skilled in organisation and as such was considered invaluable to the Sisters of Mercy community in Ireland.

Whitty's religious community were initially reluctant to release her for this missionary venture but this was overcome by the direct command of Archbishop Cullen.

Although the bishop removed her as Superior in 1863,[2] the community of Sisters she founded soon spread throughout the new colony, with more than 20 convents founded before her death Bishop Quinn's decision to include Whitty in his pastoral plan proved to be inspirational, and under her leadership the Sisters of Mercy were able to make a positive contribution to the growth of the Catholic community throughout Queensland.

In addition to the various educational institutions founded under her leadership, the Sisters of Mercy of Brisbane form an independent congregation within the tradition of Catherine McAuley.