Venerable Mary Aikenhead

illustration of Venerable Mary Aikenhead from the 'Illustrated Catholic Family Annual', 1881, artist unknown Profile

Born to a Catholic mother and a Scots Protestant father, Mary was brought up in the Church of Ireland; her father was a physician and pharmacist, and the family very wealthy and prominent. At age 15, Mary made the choice to join the Catholic Chuch, and felt a call to religious life and service. In 1815, at a time when then nuns in Ireland were all cloistered contemplatives, she founded the Religious Sisters of Charity of Ireland to work in health care, education, pastoral support and social work; they continue their good work today in Ireland, England, Scotland, Zambia, Nigeria, Malawi, Australia, and the United States.