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 Sisters of Mercy of the Americas The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy is an international community of Roman Catholic women vowed to serve the poor, sick and uneducated. Animated by their foundress, Catherine McAuley, the sisters are called to walk in solidarity with persons who are poor and suffering, especially women and children; to analyze the root causes of their needs; and to work to transform unjust systems. Although they no longer wear traditional habits, they are recognized by their identifying symbols of a silver ring and the Mercy cross. The Institute was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1831 by Catherine McAuley, a wealthy upper-class woman who dedicated her life and her inheritance to care for women in need, to teach the poor and to visit the sick. Following a novitiate with the Presentation Sisters, Catherine and two other women took their vows as the first Sisters of Mercy. The charism, mission and ministries of Catherine continues. (Portrait of Catherine McAuley, above at right, is from an original oil by Artist Cloy Kent, © 1981, and is used with the generous permission of both the artist and the Cedar Rapids Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who commissioned the portrait.) The community grew rapidly and the sisters were much in demand. At the time of Catherine's death in 1841, she had established foundations throughout Ireland and England. To learn even more about Catherine, just click. By 1856, the Sisters of Mercy had spread to Scotland, Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas, where they continue to thrive to this day. If you'd like to learn more about the international scope of the Sisters of Mercy, see the Other Links page. Catherine's original House of Mercy on Baggot St. in Dublin, is today a central place of hospitality, reflection and tradition for the Sisters of Mercy worldwide and for those interested in the life and heritage of Catherine McAuley. To learn more about this location take a virtual tour of Mercy International Centre.
Across the world, an extensive collaboration among Sisters of Mercy, has been the creation of the Mercy International Association in 1994. The purpose of this Association is to inspire Sisters of Mercy and their Associates to incarnate the spirit of Catherine McAuley in ways which are creative and appropriate to the needs of our time and to foster unity of mind and heart among Sisters of Mercy world wide. The creation of the Mercy International Association has united Institute/Congregational leadership from Ireland, England, Australia, Aeoteorea New Zealand, the Philippines, the Americas and Newfoundland, reflecting the commitment of the Sisters of Mercy to a worldwide vision of Mercy, a worldwide experience of Mercy. Recently, MIA members have promoted the appointment of a Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Catherine McAuley. To find out more about this cause, to view intercessory prayers for the sick and for beatification, or to learn more about Catherine's modern day spirituality, visit Catherine's Cause for Canonization and the links on that page. Currently more than 1700 Mercy Associates, men and women, are also involved in the mission of the Sisters of Mercy and in furthering the charism of Catherine McAuley. Click here for more information on Mercy Association. Additionally, more than 50 Mercy Volunteer Corps lay volunteers serve one or two years in Mercy ministries. Since its inception in 1978 more than 600 volunteers have served at 75 sites in 20 different states. Mercy Volunteer Corps stresses compassionate service, community life and spirituality. Through these unique opportunities of collaborative ministry, the volunteers become a part of a much wider Circle of Mercy. Click here for details on Mercy Volunteer Corps.
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