History

Preamble

At St Saviour's College we engage with the mystery of life within the context of the Grand Narrative. This is the exciting and enchanting cosmic story of creation. The energy that birthed the Universe is the energy that birthed Jesus, is the energy that birthed Catherine McAuley, is the energy that birthed this community.

The story of Catherine as it is told here, is the story that nourishes our College and provides a framework for us to live meaning in our lives.

A Story of the Energy of Catherine McAuley

Catherine McAuley, was born on September 29, 1778 in Dublin, Ireland. Her father was a man who cared for the poor people of the time and this example impacted on the young Catherine. Her mother was not a good manager of the home finances and the family became very poor.

After her mother died Catherine, with her brother and sister, went to live with relatives. As she grew older, Catherine went as a companion to live with Mr and Mrs Callaghan, friends of her relatives. Catherine was a reflective woman and she observed that the people who lived around their home were poor and uneducated. She desired to do something for them and the Callaghans supplied the money she needed to help the village children.

Her feminine awareness of the poverty in the daily lives of others, especially the young girls and women, led Catherine to teach young women needlework and she ran a small shop for them to sell their goods. Catherine was receptive to the needs of people and when Mrs Callaghan became sick, she read to her and nursed her until she died.

The death of those she loved was a constant source of pain for Catherine and soon she lost Mr Callaghan. He appointed her the sole beneficiary of his money and this generosity enabled Catherine to put into effect her plan to educate young servant girls. Her imagination for what could be and her passion for life and for the future of young women led to the leasing of a property in Baggott Street, Dublin. Catherine's family did not approve of this and it was called ‘Kitty's Folly".

The creativity of Catherine McAuley led to the evolution of her‘Folly'. Her work for the marginalised led her to this wealthy area so that others may be challenged by the presence of the poor. Catherine's vision and wisdom expanded and the house in Baggott Street became a home for the poor, an educational centre for young women and a place where those who followed her in this work could live as community.

Her energy was grounded in a sense of humour and a considerate and warm attitude towards others. Catherine enjoyed a joke and her vitality and prayerful reflection enabled people to relate to her and desire to be with her on this journey of being for others.

Catherine died on November 11, 1841 and she was buried as she had wished, in a ceremony that was customary for the poor people to be buried.