A woman of vision
Commemorating the birthday of the foundress
Margaret Fitzgerald rsc
Two hundred and thirty-five years ago, a child was born, destined to be a woman of vision, courage, and inspiration, reaching out to those in need.
Who was this little girl, who grew up to be a woman of such compassion? Her name was Mary Aikenhead, born in Cork, Ireland, 19 January 1787.
Born to Dr David Aikenhead and Mary Stackpole. Her father, a Protestant, was a doctor and apothecary, (pharmacist). Her mother was a Catholic, whose family was in the silk merchant’s trade. The family lived very comfortably.
Mary was a sickly child, so her parents decided to have her cared for by Catholic foster parents, John and ‘Mammy’ (Mary) Rorke. She was sent to live with them in the countryside, in a poorer part of Cork, where the air was better for her health. Her parents would continue to visit her weekly and during her stay Mary attended the Catholic Church with her foster family.
Whilst Mary was growing up with the Rorkes she played with the children from the surrounding families and soon realised they didn’t have the good, warm clothes and boots that she had. Despite her young age, this made an impression. She also observed her father visiting poorer families when they were sick and never charging them for his services or medicines. Mary later recalled him saying: ’we should give to the poor what the rich can buy for money!’
In 1793, when Mary was six years old, it was decided she was well enough to return to the family home. By this time, she had three siblings; two younger sisters, Anne and Margaret, and a little brother, St John. A few years later, the family moved to Rutland Street and Dr Aikenhead asked the Rorkes to live with them to help care for the four children. Upon her return home, Mary regularly attended Shandon’s Protestant Church with her father. In December 1801, Dr Aikenhead became very ill. As Mary’s father was dying, he asked his wife to send for a Catholic Priest. Surrounded by loved ones on his death bed, Dr Aikenhead was received into the Catholic church.
Not long after her father’s passing, Mary chose to become a Catholic and was received into the Church on 6 June 1802. She was 15 years old. As a teenager, she often visited the sick and the poor. Following the example of her parents, this was the essence of her response to God’s call. At the age of 25 she founded the Religious Sisters of Charity in Dublin.
As a Sister of Charity, remembering Mary Aikenhead on her birthday is such an honour; just as it is being a Volunteer at our Heritage Centre where I have the privilege of sharing her inspirational story!