T • H • R • E • E Mother Mary Aikenhead: A Life of Vision Deborah Cleeter Irish postage stamps issued in 1958 honoring Mother Mary Aikenhead. “The girl’s mind was busy with a problem which she knew baffled the Philanthropists and Statesmen—but happily not the Saints” (Member of the Congregation, 2001, p. 11). Such was the worldview of Mother Mary Aikenhead (1787–1858). With confidence and humility, from the time she was a little girl, she took notice of those around her living in poverty and poor health, then began dreaming of how these individuals could have a better life. Regardless of how others saw a problem, even those in very powerful positions and with great authority, Mary felt led by the Lord to create opportunities to make the world a better place. Never satisfied just wishing that things could be better, Mary knew that action was necessary to change what she felt were appalling situations. CHILDHOOD Mary Frances Aikenhead was born in 1787 to a wealthy and prominent family in Cork, Ireland. Her father, David Aikenhead, was a doctor, apothecary, property owner, and member of the Church of Ireland. Her mother, Mary Stackpole, was from an aristocratic family and was Roman Catholic. In addition to the differences in religion, Mary’s parents also had opposing views on many political issues of the day (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). Accepting differences in a peaceful and loving manner created an environment in the Aikenhead home that modeled tolerance and kindness. Mary was baptized in the Anglican Church of which her father was a member, also referred to as the Protestant Church and the Church of Ireland. At the time of Mary’s birth and through her childhood, the family lived in Daunt’s Square, an affluent neighborhood in Cork, Ireland (Member of the Congregation, 2001). As a young child, Mary was sent to live with an Irish nurse, Mrs. Mary Rorke, and her family. Although the specific diagnosis of her ill health is unclear, Mary’s father was determined to have her placed in the foster home in the countryside. Typically, her parents visited each week, and, occasionally, Mary went home to see her brother and sisters (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). The Aikenheads were very satisfied with the care Mary received from Nurse Rorke and believed that her health was benefitted by being in the country. They decided to continue her stay with the Rorkes (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Calling her foster parents “Mammy Rorke” and “Daddy John,” Mary regularly attended mass with the Rorke family. Their Catholic faith had a profound impact on Mary during the 6 years that she lived in their home and would provide an enduring foundation of service as she matured. While a little girl living in the Rorke foster home, Mary played with the poor children of the area, made many friends among them, and developed a lifelong empathy for those in need. When Mary was returned home to Cork at age 6, the Rorkes also came to live with the family as staff in the Aikenhead household (Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, 2014). Mrs. Rorke was engaged as a “nurse” to continue her care for Mary and also to care for her brother and sisters in the nursery. Mr. Rorke was given a post on the household staff as well (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Once settled again in her family home, Mary was then educated “befitting a young lady of her social class” (CatholicIreland.Net, 1999, p. 1). She attended a private school and learned to speak French fluently (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Mary joined the Protestant church, of which her father was a member, when she returned to Cork, but often accompanied her aunt to mass in the South Chapel of Cork (CatholicIreland.Net, 1999). Even as a young child, Mary recognized the differences between religions and was mindful that one day she would have to choose between them. The Aikenhead home was often visited by prominent citizens, politicians, and religious leaders. Mary listened to the conversations of the social elite and was impressed by their importance (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Her introduction to influential people did not change her feelings toward her former playmates and friends made during her 6 years in the Rorkes’s working-class neighborhood. During her early teen years, Mary’s life is reported to have been quite difficult as she contemplated making decisions for her future. She was afforded the opportunity to take her place with the ascendancy class of her parents; however, she felt drawn to the poor and those cast out of society’s favor (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Mary’s father, Dr. Aikenhead, was sympathetic toward the Irish Catholics and demonstrated compassion toward the poor. He was generous and, at times, outspoken about the discrimination of those living in poverty. Mary often accompanied her father on his patient rounds throughout Cork and saw firsthand his benevolence (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Her visits with her father to see his sick and poor patients created a continual unrest within Mary. These experiences were important in her personal, career, and leadership development. While she was just a teen, Mary lost her father—her mentor. Following Dr. Aikenhead’s deathbed conversion to Catholicism, Mary, at age 15, was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. Finally, after moving between the Protestant and Catholic churches for all of her childhood, Mary, through confirmation, had become a Catholic of her own free will (Kerr, 1993). Her sisters followed her lead and also joined the Catholic Church (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). As the eldest child and with her mother taken quite ill, Mary began to supervise the family business and finances as well as the family’s social obligations (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). As a teenager, Mary had to assume adult responsibilities: running the household, attending dances and soirees, and managing family decision making. People considered Mary to be serious, thoughtful, and an intelligent listener. She was able to spend time with learned men who often visited her grandmother’s home and engaged in discussions about literature, culture, and religion (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Through these conversations, Mary learned of the work of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy and that of St. Vincent DePaul in France and, thus, came to believe that great change could be made through service to others. Concerned that Ireland did not have a leader such as these, Mary felt disheartened and did what she could in the poor areas of the city (Member of the Congregation, 2001). Her deep desire to help others motivated Mary to search for the best opportunities for her continued service. THE NOVITIATE At 17, Mary decided to follow God’s call and offer her service as a nun. Not able to join a convent at the time of her decision, Mary spent the next several years developing a deep love of the church as she fulfilled her responsibilities in caring for her family (Member of the Congregation, 2001). At the age of 21, Mary went to Dublin to visit and stay for a short time with her friend Anne O’Brien. During this time, Mary traveled through the city with Mrs. O’Brien, visiting the poor and sick in their homes. She felt deep concern for the poor throughout this visit in Dublin. It was during this period that Mary met Father Daniel Murray who was working with Mrs. O’Brien in reaching out to the poor of Dublin (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). He became Mary’s lifelong mentor and counselor. In her early 20s, Mary was called home again to care for her ill mother. During this time, while still unable enter a convent, Mary began an intentional period of communication and planning with Father Murray. He was the Bishop Coadjutor of Dublin and was very supportive of her desire to create a new religious order to serve the poor and sick at home. Finally entering the convent at age 25, Mary Aikenhead spent the next 3 years as a novitiate at the Bar Convent in York. Taking the religious name of Sr. Mary Augustine, Mary and her friend Alicia Walsh, Sr. Mary Catherine, embarked on their religious life of service together in the York convent (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). While a novitiate at the Convent of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin at Micklegate Bar, York, Sr. Mary Augustine developed her prayer and life of service following the Ignatian spirituality: contemplation in action (Mary Aikenhead Ministries, 2013). Knowing that if she followed her calling to serve the poor, she could not join an enclosed order of nuns, Mary made a very important decision and embarked on a journey that would forever change her life and the lives of multitudes of others. INSPIRING A SHARED VISION “Exemplary leaders are forward looking. They are able to envision the future, to gaze across the horizon of time and imagine the greater opportunities to come” (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 105). Two hundred years before Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner began conducting their leadership research, Mary Aikenhead was exhibiting effective leadership behaviors and engaging people from multiple backgrounds and professions to join her in achieving her dreams. She was thoughtfully committed to her future and that of others from a young age. Mary’s vision soon became the vision of many others, including Bishop Murray and other leaders within the Catholic Church administration, physicians within Cork and Dublin, and business leaders who held resources that would substantially help move her plans forward. Kouzes and Posner (2007) believe that two essential concepts drive an individual’s ability to effectively envision the future. Being able to “imagine a positive future” (p. 105) and “finding a common purpose” (p. 116) with others provides leaders with the foundation to turn possibilities into reality. Mary was exceptional at seeing the future through God’s will for her and articulating a common purpose with those with whom she engaged in her leadership endeavors. Visionaries dream of accomplishments that have a future impact that is greater than what they could ever achieve individually. It is through others that their dreams are fulfilled. A humble leader, Mary Aikenhead was steadfast in her acknowledgment and praise of those who shared her vision and acted on their unified purpose. Mary’s dreams were extraordinary for the time in which she lived and for the limited seemingly resources available, but she did not give in to common barriers. “They (leaders) imagine extraordinary feats are possible and that the ordinary could be transformed into something noble. They are able to develop an ideal and unique image of the future for the common good” (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 105). Appealing to common ideals through the description of aspirations is one way in which Mary Aikenhead engaged others in her vision. Kouzes and Posner state that “enlisting others” through “connecting to what’s meaningful to them” aligns purpose and investment in the future (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 134). The vision that Mary Aikenhead had from the time she was a little girl grew out of her passion for helping others and her love of God. The intentionality of her decisions, choice of supporters, and pathway for engaging others led to a shared vision that is still in place two centuries later. “The poor are always the ones to suffer and no one seems to mind what happened to them. It’s shameful! It’s unfair!” (Kerr, 1993, p. 14). Often stating her indignation and compassion, Mary Aikenhead provided exemplary leadership even at a remarkably young age. She was able to clearly envision the future and enlist others as she stood strong within her local community and stated her concerns about the unjust treatment of the poor. One of Mary’s fervent hopes was that “we shall each and all exceed in generosity” (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2007, p. 143). In 1816, a small group of the sisters began visiting the poor in their homes. This was the first formal movement of nuns actively helping the sick and suffering within Ireland (Kerr, 1993). Many believe that it could be said that Mary Aikenhead and her sisters were the first “visiting nurses.” Her deep faith provided Mary with constancy in her personal mission to serve God in all things. A realist, she knew her personal limitations in seeking large-scale change. Not everyone saw possibilities as she did. Her reminder to “bear your own temper with patience” (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2007, p. 58) was stated as much for herself as for those working with her in service to others. FOUNDRESS, CONGREGATION OF IRISH SISTERS OF CHARITY High unemployment, cholera outbreaks, and the great famine had created enormous suffering throughout Ireland (Religious Sisters of Charity Ireland, 2013). Mary Aikenhead was filled with assurance that God wanted her to serve the unserved. Her life of commitment to social welfare emerged from life experiences, education, and her 3 years as a novitiate. Following her training at the Bar Convent in York and prolonged planning with Bishop Murray, Mary Aikenhead founded the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1815 (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013). Archbishop Murray was Mary’s most formidable advocate. He believed in her vision and her ability to achieve it; his support and visibility were very important in helping to establish Mary’s leadership credibility. The first convent was opened in North William Street in Dublin at the same time that Mary was appointed Superior General for the congregation. Mary was determined to lead the newly created order in a manner different from any other religious congregations in existence at the time. The Sisters of Charity were devoted from the outset to actively serving the poor by visiting the sick poor in their homes (CatholicIreland.Net, 1999). Building the religious congregation and its charitable service were enormous undertakings. Not always did Mary find it easy to fulfill her expectations and plans for a better life for the poor. “We must try to be truly humble—not in words but in the very core of the heart” she stated during times of trial (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2007, p. 189). Even some of those who initially supported her efforts became cynical and less than supportive. Administration of the congregation was difficult and, on many occasions, there occurred internal struggles and disagreements that threatened the future of the order (Member of the Congregation, 2001). The Rev. Mother’s confidence in the Lord and his path for her was demonstrated in her strong and powerful presence. Often seeming harsh and critical, Mary was direct and honest in her praise and reproach of her congregation. She was also known to have a lively sense of humor and was often heard laughing (Kerr, 1993). Loved by all and feared by many, Rev. Mother Mary Aikenhead was a steadfast leader who not only created a vison of a better future but also clearly had a plan of action to achieve her dream. The growth of the Religious Sisters of Charity outside of Ireland came from a recognition of need. In 1838, the Superior General sent five sisters to Australia who eventually established the first convent in Parramatta. Shortly thereafter, the Jesuits in Preston, Lancashire, England, requested that Mother Mary open a convent there. This first English convent of the congregation was opened in 1840. Eight additional convents were established under the Superior General’s leadership. The Religious Sisters of Charity were recognized for their commitment to helping the poor through the expansion of the congregation (O’Riordan, 2015). MINISTRIES FOR PRISONS, SCHOOLS, AND ORPHANAGES Mother Mary’s vision to help the poor crossed many settings. Her journey started as a child noticing the living conditions of the poor and their resulting ill health, but she grew to embrace change for all aspects of the lives of those living in poverty. An advocate for large-scale change, she led the religious community to reach the poor wherever they were. In 1821, the Religious Sisters were requested by the prison head to visit two young women who had been convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Following what he felt was a positive influence on these incarcerated women, the governor of Kilmainham Gaol asked whether the sisters would continue their visitation within the prison (Mary Aikenhead Heritage Center, 2014). Thus, the congregation started another valuable ministry for the Religious Sisters of Charity. A proponent of education for all, Mary believed that education was a way to impact those born in poverty (Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, 2014). In 1830, at the request of the Archbishop, Mother Mary led the Sisters of Charity in opening their first free school in Gardiner Street, Dublin. Another school was opened in Sandymount shortly thereafter. The Sisters of Charity partnered with Carmelite nuns, Society of Friends, and the Christian Brothers, and the congregations worked together to establish a number of schools within the metropolitan area. Many of these schools were orphanages as well (Member of the Congregation, 2001; Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). Through Mary’s leadership, the Sisters of Charity became valued within the country as people who could achieve what they set out to do. Government and business leaders would approach the order with their needs and plead with the sisters to build new institutions and administer others. The sisters were seen as a powerful group of women who achieved their purpose in serving God through others. HOSPITALS, NURSING, AND HOSPICE Working within the slums and deplorable conditions within the poor areas of Dublin, Mary wanted to found a hospital that provided care to all regardless of their station in society or their ability to pay. The public hospitals were not staffed with trained personnel and were overcrowded. Mary wanted to establish a hospital that provided a higher level of care by trained nurses. In a time of turmoil in Ireland, Mary led the ministry of caring for the poor during the devastating cholera epidemic. Her long-held dream of a hospital for the poor became more urgent as many people died from lack of care and terrible conditions. Her sister Anne, known as Sister M. Ignatius Aikenhead, died during the epidemic (Mary Aikenhead Ministries, 2013). Although not a formally trained nurse herself, Mary secured nursing training for sisters within the congregation. In addition, she procured the honorary services of surgeons and physicians in preparation for opening St. Vincent’s Hospital Dublin in 1834. This first hospital was dedicated to caring for the poor regardless of religious faith. St. Vincent’s became the model on which many other of the congregation’s hospitals were built and operated (Mary Aikenhead Ministries, 2013). At its opening, St. Vincent’s was the first hospital in Ireland to be managed and staffed by women (CatholicIreland.Net, 1999). Many troubles befell St. Vincent’s Hospital during its first years. Financial problems, difficulties with unhappy staff, and expectations that could not be met caused great stress for Mother Mary. Through perseverance and unwavering dedication to Mary’s vision, St. Vincent’s did become a highly regarded teaching hospital. Even Florence Nightingale visited the hospital before opening her own nursing school (Kerr, 1993). A strong advocate of trained hospital personnel, Mother Mary believed that nurses with formal skills were better able to provide care to the ill than the traditional untrained staff in the public hospitals. Not able to release any of her trained nuns because they were few in number and their purpose was to care for the poor in Ireland, Mary did not send her sisters to assist Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War when asked. She did offer prayers during the Crimean War for “the relief of the precious souls (of those) who die in this carnage and have none to pray for them” (Kerr, 1993, p. 17). Mary’s leadership of hospitals and the subsequent administration of the Sisters of Charity were highly regarded. Eighteen years after Mary’s death, the congregation was asked by the governor to take over the administration of the children’s hospital in Dublin. Only a few years in existence, the hospital had grown so quickly that new leadership was required to manage the facility (O’Riordan, 2015). As the scope of service of the Sisters of Charity expanded, attention became focused on the dying. Hospice care originally served the sick, travelers, and others in need. History tells that these early hospices were founded by Christians in the eastern biblical lands for weary pilgrims. Mary Aikenhead’s passion and vision inspired her followers and led them to focus on terminal care as a specialty. “Her spirit of love for the poor, of understanding their hardships, of dedication to their welfare was her legacy.… It was this spirit which conceived of the idea of a ‘Hospice’ for the dying” (Kerr, 1993, p. 13). Not until 1879, when the Irish Sisters of Charity founded Our Ladies Hospice for the Dying, did the hospice become focused solely on the dying. This pioneering work was a continuation of Mother Mary’s vision of service to the terminally ill (Kerr, 1993). Ten other hospice facilities were established around the world and attributed to the movement of the Irish Sisters of Charity. Two of these were notable: the Sacred Heart Hospice for the Dying in Sydney, Australia, which opened in 1890 and St. Joseph’s Hospice for the Dying in London, which followed in 1905 (Kerr, 1993). LEADING IN THE FACE OF PERSONAL STRUGGLE As a result of numerous health problems, Mary was confined to her wheelchair or bed for the last 27 years of her life. “Her vision and energy were not weakened by this confinement, but distilled into a deeper definition of service” (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013, p. 1). While suffering from spinal problems, failing eyesight, rheumatism, and pulmonary deficiencies, Mother Mary found consolation in prayer (Kerr, 1993). Through courageous leadership, Mary continued to guide the community in its work developing new institutions, sending members on missions to France and Australia, and establishing outreach installations of the Religious Sisters of Charity. On hearing the news of Mother Mary’s death, a poor farmer stated, “That matchless woman! In her, Ireland’s poor have lost their best friend” (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013, p. 1). True to her deepest convictions and relationships with the common people of Ireland, the Rev. Mother Mary Aikenhead’s coffin was borne by Irish laborers (Kerr, 1993). As Superior General of the religious order, she never strayed from her vision of helping those in need. The love that she had for others was returned by those she served. GLOBAL LEGACY Following her death in 1858, Mother Mary Aikenhead’s work continued throughout the world. Legacies are difficult to define for many; however, for Mother Mary Aikenhead, this is an easy task. Her ministries and her influence on society throughout the world have provided the substance of her legacy as a global visionary leader. Instilling honor in service to the poor has created generations of followers who continue her dream and help millions of people around the globe. One of many examples of this expansion occurred when five Irish nuns journeyed from Dublin in 1900 to bring comfort and care to the sick of London’s East End. These Sisters of Charity were inspired by Mary Aikenhead’s vision of 85 years before and were committed to their work in the overcrowded and disease-ridden inner city. The work of this early visiting group of nuns became St. Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney. Still vibrant today, this hospice remains dedicated to its mission to help people of all faiths. Mother Mary Aikenhead’s dream of service to the poor continues in Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, and Venezuela (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013). Rev. Mother Mary has had a profound influence on religious organizations, health care, education, and social justice. Beyond the education and health care initiatives, the religious congregation led the establishment of the Foxford Woollen Mills in 1892 to improve social and economic conditions in County Mayo (Member of the Congregation, 2001). The Mary Aikenhead Heritage Center is located on the grounds of Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, Dublin, Ireland. An extensive renovation of the center was completed in 2015, which now houses the official collection of historical documents and Mother Mary’s living accommodations from 1845 to 1858 (Religious Sisters of Charity Ireland, 2013). JOURNEY TOWARD CANONIZATION Preliminary steps for Mother Mary Aikenhead’s application for canonization were initiated in 1908 by Mother Mary Gertrude Davis, the Superior General of the Australian Sisters of Charity. Termed a “Cause,” the journey for an individual to be pronounced a saint is often long and arduous; such has been the story for the process of the Vatican approval of sainthood for Mary Aikenhead (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013). Following many interruptions in the process, Pope Benedict XV signed the decree for the introduction of the Cause of Mary Aikenhead in March 1921. This decree officially opened the journey toward canonization; however, more church delays in Dublin, the two world wars, and political strife in Ireland slowed the progression significantly. The persistence of the promoters of Mary Aikenhead’s Cause in Ireland and Australia has been formidable. At each setback, someone has taken the initiative to begin again (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013). Decades passed with minimal progress; however, the Cause continued. In March 2012, the Vatican provided notification that they were proceeding with the process for Mary Aikenhead to be declared Venerable (Religious Sisters of Charity, 2013). One hundred and seven years after the first letter was written to initiate the canonization process for Mary, the congregation and the world continues to await final proclamation from Rome. EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP Rev. Mother Mary’s commitment to her vision, which continues through her religious order, schools, hospitals, hospices, social service organizations, and numerous other institutions, has flourished since her death. Mary was intelligent, diplomatic, purpose driven, and formidable. She was a businesswoman and a feminist, and had international influence. All of her gifts and talents were used in the service of God and the poor (Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, 2014). A remarkable leader in social services, education, and health care, Mary Aikenhead demonstrated all five exemplary leadership practices described by Kouzes and Posner as the requisite characteristics of successful leaders. In accordance with her vision of ministering to the poor, Mary inspired others to journey with her as they pioneered a new religious order, created new institutions in service to the poor, and subsequently changed the lives of millions of people throughout the world. Rev. Mother Mary Aikenhead was masterful at engaging others in her vision. She had worked among the poor in the worst possible conditions in the slums of Dublin and moved to the role of Superior General of the religious community that she created. Never losing sight of her calling, her spirituality permeated her being, her writings, and her legacy.
Nurse Key
Fastest Nurse Insight Engine
