The 9th of November 1854 the  congregation of the sisters of the Lady of Mercy was improved by cardinal Sterckx. Seventeen sisters received the convent dress.

 

Catherina Peréé became the first Mother Superior. The members of the congregation applied themselves to education and taking care of ill and aged people. For a few decades they took care of the infant school in Mechelen.  Besides the house in the “Begijnenstraat” they also opened a settlement in the “Drabstraat”.