Mother Antonio Egan was the founder of the first Convent of Mercy on Newfoundland’s west coast. To lay the foundation in 1893, she moved from a comfortable academic and cultural life and ministry in Providence, Rhode Island, to a foreign, harsh environment with very rudimentary educational and social structures. The area, Sandy Bay, had been plagued by frequent fighting among the French, the British, and the locals about land and fishing rights.

Elizabeth Egan was born in England on May 12, 1852, and came at an early age with her father, brothers, and sister to America to live with an aunt. She attended St. Xavier’s Convent School in Providence (RI) and entered the Providence Congregation in 1868. She was professed in 1871.

Antonio would have come under the influence of Frances Warde, who is credited with founding the Sisters of Mercy in the United States of America. Antonio was dedicated to bringing the works of Mercy to the people of Newfoundland's west coast. She was a gifted administrator and held many positions of responsibility in the Providence Congregation. Antonio was highly committed to girls' education and, like Catherine, regarded it as a means of lifting women out of poverty.

Antonio faced strong opposition from some people regarding her plan to establish the new foundation. Mrs. Brownell, pictured above, a wealthy and well-travelled American, was Antonio's personal friend, and others believed he was unduly influenced by her.

There was considerable contact over the years between the Foundation in St. John’s (established from Baggot Street) and this new foundation on the West Coast, as well as seven other foundations in Newfoundland established from St. John’s. Eventually, all nine joined together. The Sisters continued in a wide range of ministries, including education, care of the sick and the elderly, outreach to the homeless, social work, justice work, and pastoral care in its many forms. Sisters of Mercy have ministered in many parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, and since 1961, they have ministered in several areas of Peru.

Charlotte Fitzpatrick, “Standing on Their Shoulders (Newfoundland)”, Mercy International Association, accessed 3 May 2024.  https://www.sistersofmercynf.org/mary-francis-creedon. mercyworld.org/catherine/mercy-foundresses/standing-on-their-shoulders-newfoundland/