Mother Mary Vincent Whitty, R.S.M., (3 March 1819 – 9 March 1892) was an Irish religious sister known for her work in the colony of Queensland. She was a leading figure in the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy, both in Ireland and in its expansion into the Australian colonies. Early life She was born Ellen Whitty at Pouldarrig, near Oylegate, a village seven miles from the town of Wexford in Ireland. She was the fourth of the six children of William and Johanna Whitty (née Murphy). One of Whitty's two sisters also became a Sister of Mercy, known as Sister Mary Agnes. The other sister married the brother of a famous convert and publicist, Frederick Lucas. Father Robert Whitty, S.J., leader of the Jesuits in Great Britain, was her brother. Religious life in Ireland At the age of 19 Whitty joined Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, at the convent in Baggot Street, Dublin, in 1839. Serving as Whitty's spiritual guide through her novitiate, Catherine McAuley was extremely close to her and requested Mother Vincent to sit by her side in her dying hours. She was made Mistress of novices in 1844, and in 1849 Superior General of the religious congregation, third in succession to Mother McAuley. While she was served in that office, the Crimean War was being waged and she offered the services of the congregation to nurse the sick and wounded soldiers. Her own sister, Mary Agnes, was one of those who went to the seat of war. Involved in the planning of the Mater Hospital in Dublin, Whitty was especially skilled in organisation and as such was considered invaluable to the Sisters of Mercy community in Ireland. Additionally, she founded five new convents and established three institutions in Dublin for the care of neglected children and underprivileged women. Religious life in Queensland It was this that held Whitty in Ireland until Bishop James Quinn, who had recently been named as the first Bishop of Brisbane for Queensland, encouraged her and five Sisters to become the first women religious in his pioneer diocese. The new diocese, as large as France, Spain and Italy together, had then only two priests and four churches. Whitty's religious community were initially reluctant to release her for this missionary venture but this was overcome by the direct command of Archbishop Cullen. Whitty was appointed as the Superior of