Series 15 - Sr Austin Hayes

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Sister Mary Austin Hayes was professed in 1809, but felt she needed a more rigorous life and went to England to enter the Order of Trappists at Staplehill. She returned after one year and devoted herself to teaching in Killarney. After some years she felt a need to establish a new order which would be devoted to Perpetual Adoration. Therefore, she walked to Dublin, crossed the Channel and on reaching the Continent, travelled on foot to Vienna to see her Uncle - Count O’ Connell. She was received favourably and was promised help in her pious project. She crossed the Alps and secured an interview with Pope Pius VII. He received her graciously, granted her request and gave her his blessing. Nothing remained to be done except to have some documents signed and she expected to return to Ireland with full powers to establish her new Institute. Having mistaken the midnight bell at St. Isadore’s Franciscan church for that of the morning, she arose and fastened the door of her lodging after her. It rained heavily and she had to remain at the Church door for the rest of the night. She became ill and died after a few days and was buried by the Franciscans at St
Isadore’s. She died in 1841. The money which was promised to her by Daniel O’Connell was later given for Presentation Convent, Cahericveen.