She was born Catherine Benson in Dublin, Ireland,(baptise 1 April 1815). She had a sister, Margaret Benson known as Sister_Evangelist_M_Benson, who also became a Sister of Mercy. Both girls entered the Mercy convent at Kinsale 7 November 1845. She was professed 13 July 1848. Her other sister became a Dominican sister and she had a brother who died young.
Sister_Catherine_McAuley, used her inheritance to build the House of Mercy (now Mercy International Centre).
She was one of the noble band of eight who volunteered for the California mission on 8 September 1854.
Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell as a leader of the group
Sr_Mary_Francis_Benson,
Sr_Mary_DeSales_Reddan,
Sr_Bernard_O'Dwyer,
Sr_Mary_Howley,
Sr_Mary_Gabriel_Brown,
Sr_Mary_Paul_Beechinor,
Sr_Mary_Martha_McCarthy
for the California mission in 8 September 1854.
She was a most earnest, zealous soul, fairly burning with love for God and proving it by her chatity for her neighbor. Although much older than Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell, who was placed in charge of the little Community, Sr Mary Benson was most humble and gave great edification by her submission, respect, love and veneration for the youthful Superior. Naturally impetuous and not over strong, it was necessary for Reverend Mother to restrain her from taking too much labor on herself.
On Dec. 25, 1859, Sister Mary Francis Benson organized St. Mary's Society, the first beneficiary society in San Francisco. The object was the promotion of piety and charity. Meetings were held every Sunday and religious instruction given by Sister. The Society flourished for many years and did an enormous amount of good; but, as the City grew, other Catholic Societies for women took its place.
The needs and comfort of the inmates became the focus of , Sister Mary Francis Benson's energies for the next fifteen years of her active life. She was 71 and still going strong when it was evident to everyone except herself that her heart required a slower pace. She found it quite hard to be tranferred to the Magdalen Asylum on Potrero Street where the chapel and lying quarters were all on the same floor. Her genuine faith helped her to accept that one season of her life was over and it was time for her to focus on the final stage of her growth that inner tranquillity Mother Bridgeman had urged many decades before. She became a favorite member of the retirement community, her vibrant personality always interested in and reaching out to others. She had yet to experience another diminishment of the last cycle of her life. During her final three years, she who had always been so seif-relant and self-actualizing became like a child and had to be led everywhere and helped in every way. She died peacefully in 1895, just three years before Mother Mary Baptist Russell, She was 79 and although of uncertain health, had gven 40 years of single-hearted and stalwart servce to build this Mercy foundation in California.
In 1887, Sister Mary Francis Benson's heart being seriously affected, she was relieved of all responsibility. The parting from her beloved old folk was a great grief but she loved God more and, knowing that such was His Will, she resigned herself. During the following year, she was sent to the Magdalen Asylum because the Chapel, Refectory, Community Room and Cells being on one floor, it was easier for invalids there. Our dear Sister now spent most of her time in prayer and she was constantly thamking God for all His goodness: so the summons on Feb. 25. 1895, found her ready with a stock of good works laid up to her credit. R.I.P.
Sister Mary Francis Benson had a full complement of personal fears as, with half of her life already behind her, she stood on that dreary Jackson Street Wharf on December 8, 1854, feeling her inadequacies: uncertain health, almost forty, with a history of getting into trouble for her impulsive personality, known more for her generosity than her prudence; who even in California would get loving but pointed lectures in letters from her Kinsale superior Rev_Mother_Francis_Bridgeman
"I see that your anxious impetuous spirit against which I used to fight so desperately is not yet subdued. Try harder to cultivate exterior and interior tranquillity."
She kept on trying and contributed mightily to the San Francisco Mercy Foundation
Sister_Catherine_McAuley, used her inheritance to build the House of Mercy (now Mercy International Centre).
She was one of the noble band of eight who volunteered for the California mission on 8 September 1854.
Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell as a leader of the group
Sr_Mary_Francis_Benson,
Sr_Mary_DeSales_Reddan,
Sr_Bernard_O'Dwyer,
Sr_Mary_Howley,
Sr_Mary_Gabriel_Brown,
Sr_Mary_Paul_Beechinor,
Sr_Mary_Martha_McCarthy
for the California mission in 8 September 1854.
She was a most earnest, zealous soul, fairly burning with love for God and proving it by her chatity for her neighbor. Although much older than Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell, who was placed in charge of the little Community, Sr Mary Benson was most humble and gave great edification by her submission, respect, love and veneration for the youthful Superior. Naturally impetuous and not over strong, it was necessary for Reverend Mother to restrain her from taking too much labor on herself.
On Dec. 25, 1859, Sister Mary Francis Benson organized St. Mary's Society, the first beneficiary society in San Francisco. The object was the promotion of piety and charity. Meetings were held every Sunday and religious instruction given by Sister. The Society flourished for many years and did an enormous amount of good; but, as the City grew, other Catholic Societies for women took its place.
The needs and comfort of the inmates became the focus of , Sister Mary Francis Benson's energies for the next fifteen years of her active life. She was 71 and still going strong when it was evident to everyone except herself that her heart required a slower pace. She found it quite hard to be tranferred to the Magdalen Asylum on Potrero Street where the chapel and lying quarters were all on the same floor. Her genuine faith helped her to accept that one season of her life was over and it was time for her to focus on the final stage of her growth that inner tranquillity Mother Bridgeman had urged many decades before. She became a favorite member of the retirement community, her vibrant personality always interested in and reaching out to others. She had yet to experience another diminishment of the last cycle of her life. During her final three years, she who had always been so seif-relant and self-actualizing became like a child and had to be led everywhere and helped in every way. She died peacefully in 1895, just three years before Mother Mary Baptist Russell, She was 79 and although of uncertain health, had gven 40 years of single-hearted and stalwart servce to build this Mercy foundation in California.
In 1887, Sister Mary Francis Benson's heart being seriously affected, she was relieved of all responsibility. The parting from her beloved old folk was a great grief but she loved God more and, knowing that such was His Will, she resigned herself. During the following year, she was sent to the Magdalen Asylum because the Chapel, Refectory, Community Room and Cells being on one floor, it was easier for invalids there. Our dear Sister now spent most of her time in prayer and she was constantly thamking God for all His goodness: so the summons on Feb. 25. 1895, found her ready with a stock of good works laid up to her credit. R.I.P.
Sister Mary Francis Benson had a full complement of personal fears as, with half of her life already behind her, she stood on that dreary Jackson Street Wharf on December 8, 1854, feeling her inadequacies: uncertain health, almost forty, with a history of getting into trouble for her impulsive personality, known more for her generosity than her prudence; who even in California would get loving but pointed lectures in letters from her Kinsale superior Rev_Mother_Francis_Bridgeman
"I see that your anxious impetuous spirit against which I used to fight so desperately is not yet subdued. Try harder to cultivate exterior and interior tranquillity."
She kept on trying and contributed mightily to the San Francisco Mercy Foundation
She was born Catherine Benson in Dublin, Ireland,(baptise 1 April 1815). She had a sister, Margaret Benson known as Sister_Evangelist_M_Benson, who also became a Sister of Mercy. Both girls entered the Mercy convent at Kinsale 7 November 1845. She was professed 13 July 1848. Her other sister became a Dominican sister and she had a brother who died young.
Sister_Catherine_McAuley, used her inheritance to build the House of Mercy (now Mercy International Centre).
She was one of the noble band of eight who volunteered for the California mission on 8 September 1854.
Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell as a leader of the group
Sr_Mary_Francis_Benson,
Sr_Mary_DeSales_Reddan,
Sr_Bernard_O'Dwyer,
Sr_Mary_Howley,
Sr_Mary_Gabriel_Brown,
Sr_Mary_Paul_Beechinor,
Sr_Mary_Martha_McCarthy
for the California mission in 8 September 1854.
She was a most earnest, zealous soul, fairly burning with love for God and proving it by her chatity for her neighbor. Although much older than Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell, who was placed in charge of the little Community, Sr Mary Benson was most humble and gave great edification by her submission, respect, love and veneration for the youthful Superior. Naturally impetuous and not over strong, it was necessary for Reverend Mother to restrain her from taking too much labor on herself.
On Dec. 25, 1859, Sister Mary Francis Benson organized St. Mary's Society, the first beneficiary society in San Francisco. The object was the promotion of piety and charity. Meetings were held every Sunday and religious instruction given by Sister. The Society flourished for many years and did an enormous amount of good; but, as the City grew, other Catholic Societies for women took its place.
The needs and comfort of the inmates became the focus of , Sister Mary Francis Benson's energies for the next fifteen years of her active life. She was 71 and still going strong when it was evident to everyone except herself that her heart required a slower pace. She found it quite hard to be tranferred to the Magdalen Asylum on Potrero Street where the chapel and lying quarters were all on the same floor. Her genuine faith helped her to accept that one season of her life was over and it was time for her to focus on the final stage of her growth that inner tranquillity Mother Bridgeman had urged many decades before. She became a favorite member of the retirement community, her vibrant personality always interested in and reaching out to others. She had yet to experience another diminishment of the last cycle of her life. During her final three years, she who had always been so seif-relant and self-actualizing became like a child and had to be led everywhere and helped in every way. She died peacefully in 1895, just three years before Mother Mary Baptist Russell, She was 79 and although of uncertain health, had gven 40 years of single-hearted and stalwart servce to build this Mercy foundation in California.
In 1887, Sister Mary Francis Benson's heart being seriously affected, she was relieved of all responsibility. The parting from her beloved old folk was a great grief but she loved God more and, knowing that such was His Will, she resigned herself. During the following year, she was sent to the Magdalen Asylum because the Chapel, Refectory, Community Room and Cells being on one floor, it was easier for invalids there. Our dear Sister now spent most of her time in prayer and she was constantly thamking God for all His goodness: so the summons on Feb. 25. 1895, found her ready with a stock of good works laid up to her credit. R.I.P.
Sister Mary Francis Benson had a full complement of personal fears as, with half of her life already behind her, she stood on that dreary Jackson Street Wharf on December 8, 1854, feeling her inadequacies: uncertain health, almost forty, with a history of getting into trouble for her impulsive personality, known more for her generosity than her prudence; who even in California would get loving but pointed lectures in letters from her Kinsale superior Rev_Mother_Francis_Bridgeman
"I see that your anxious impetuous spirit against which I used to fight so desperately is not yet subdued. Try harder to cultivate exterior and interior tranquillity."
She kept on trying and contributed mightily to the San Francisco Mercy Foundation
Sister_Catherine_McAuley, used her inheritance to build the House of Mercy (now Mercy International Centre).
She was one of the noble band of eight who volunteered for the California mission on 8 September 1854.
Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell as a leader of the group
Sr_Mary_Francis_Benson,
Sr_Mary_DeSales_Reddan,
Sr_Bernard_O'Dwyer,
Sr_Mary_Howley,
Sr_Mary_Gabriel_Brown,
Sr_Mary_Paul_Beechinor,
Sr_Mary_Martha_McCarthy
for the California mission in 8 September 1854.
She was a most earnest, zealous soul, fairly burning with love for God and proving it by her chatity for her neighbor. Although much older than Mother_Mary_Baptist_Russell, who was placed in charge of the little Community, Sr Mary Benson was most humble and gave great edification by her submission, respect, love and veneration for the youthful Superior. Naturally impetuous and not over strong, it was necessary for Reverend Mother to restrain her from taking too much labor on herself.
On Dec. 25, 1859, Sister Mary Francis Benson organized St. Mary's Society, the first beneficiary society in San Francisco. The object was the promotion of piety and charity. Meetings were held every Sunday and religious instruction given by Sister. The Society flourished for many years and did an enormous amount of good; but, as the City grew, other Catholic Societies for women took its place.
The needs and comfort of the inmates became the focus of , Sister Mary Francis Benson's energies for the next fifteen years of her active life. She was 71 and still going strong when it was evident to everyone except herself that her heart required a slower pace. She found it quite hard to be tranferred to the Magdalen Asylum on Potrero Street where the chapel and lying quarters were all on the same floor. Her genuine faith helped her to accept that one season of her life was over and it was time for her to focus on the final stage of her growth that inner tranquillity Mother Bridgeman had urged many decades before. She became a favorite member of the retirement community, her vibrant personality always interested in and reaching out to others. She had yet to experience another diminishment of the last cycle of her life. During her final three years, she who had always been so seif-relant and self-actualizing became like a child and had to be led everywhere and helped in every way. She died peacefully in 1895, just three years before Mother Mary Baptist Russell, She was 79 and although of uncertain health, had gven 40 years of single-hearted and stalwart servce to build this Mercy foundation in California.
In 1887, Sister Mary Francis Benson's heart being seriously affected, she was relieved of all responsibility. The parting from her beloved old folk was a great grief but she loved God more and, knowing that such was His Will, she resigned herself. During the following year, she was sent to the Magdalen Asylum because the Chapel, Refectory, Community Room and Cells being on one floor, it was easier for invalids there. Our dear Sister now spent most of her time in prayer and she was constantly thamking God for all His goodness: so the summons on Feb. 25. 1895, found her ready with a stock of good works laid up to her credit. R.I.P.
Sister Mary Francis Benson had a full complement of personal fears as, with half of her life already behind her, she stood on that dreary Jackson Street Wharf on December 8, 1854, feeling her inadequacies: uncertain health, almost forty, with a history of getting into trouble for her impulsive personality, known more for her generosity than her prudence; who even in California would get loving but pointed lectures in letters from her Kinsale superior Rev_Mother_Francis_Bridgeman
"I see that your anxious impetuous spirit against which I used to fight so desperately is not yet subdued. Try harder to cultivate exterior and interior tranquillity."
She kept on trying and contributed mightily to the San Francisco Mercy Foundation
Inscription
Transferred from St. Michael's Cemetery San Francisco.
May 2, 1931.
Gravesite Details
Orginal burial was St Michael's Cemetery it was closed 1932. It had been remove to this burial.
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