Misericordia University celebrated the 244th birthday of Catherine McAuley on Sept. 29.

McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1778. She was dedicated to sheltering and helping girls and women in need, using inheritance money to open the First House of Mercy in 1827 and continue her efforts of helping these women.

In 1831, alongside a corps of Catholic social workers, McAuley established a religious order that would send Sisters of Mercy across the globe to help educate and shelter women in need. This order led to the founding of Misericordia University in 1924.

To celebrate McAuley’s legacy, Vice President for Mission Integration and Student Life Amy Lahart, left, and Director for Mission Ministry and Service Chris Somers , right, served cupcakes to students in the Banks Student Life Center.