Ursula Frayne

Ursula Frayne (born Clara Frayne; 5 October 1816 – 9 June 1885) was an Irish nun who became a Mother Superior of the Sisters of Mercy and spent her life in missionary work, initially in Canada but largely in Australia developing schools and academies.

Early life Clara Frayne was born to the wealthy businessman Robert Frayne, and his wife, Bridget, in Dublin, Ireland. She entered Baggot Street with Catherine McCauley the then-recently-formed Institute of Mercy in Dublin in 1834 and took Ursula in place of her baptismal name. She was appointed Mother Superior in 1842, taking charge of the Institute's first foreign mission foundation in Newfoundland.

Death

Mother Ursula died in Nicholson Street, Fitzroy, on 9 June 1885, aged 68. A Gothic chapel to her memory was built by her successor in the convent grounds. Her remains are buried in a vault in the chapel under a Celtic cross, reminding all of her origins.