Sisters of Mercy and their Associates draw on the inspiration of Catherine McAuley, their foundress, who began her work with poor women in the first House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827. Catherine's deep faith in God who is Mercy, and her experience of the pain of poverty, shaped her prayer and in turn her prayer shaped her ministry.
Today, as Sisters of Mercy and Associates, we commit ourselves to a life long journey of discovery of the Mercy of God, which is so often found in the lives and struggles of the suffering and the poor. On this journey we begin to understand our own poverty and our need for God's Mercy. We seek the face of God who is merciful and we try to live in a way that reflects this awareness.
The spiritual and corporal works of mercy hold a special place in the tradition of Roman Catholicism. Persons hunger for food to nourish mind and spirit as well as body. Persons seek healing of bodily wounds which affect the spirit and spiritual wounds which affect the body.
As associates of Mercy, we commit ourselves to exercise the spiritual and corporal works of mercy revealed to us through the life of Jesus. Enriched by his love, healed by his mercy and taught by his word, we serve the poor, sick and uneducated.
in the discharge of our works of Mercy
- the business of our lives -"
Catherine McAuley
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"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep form the goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.'"
- Who are the hungry and thirsty in my life?
- How am I attempting to respond to their hunger and thirst?
Reflection Questions for Prayer and Faith Sharing:
Reading from Catherine McAuley's "Spirit of the Institute" as in Morning and Evening Prayer of the Sisters of Mercy, pp. 919-920:
"We should often reflect that our progress in spiritual life consists in the faithful discharge of the duties belonging to our state as regards both ourselves and our neighbour. We must consider the time and exertion which we employ for the relief and instruction of the poor and ignorant as most conducive to our own advancement in perfection. The time given to prayer and all other pious exercises we must consider as employed to obtain the grace, strength and animation which alone could enable us to persevere ... it follows from what has been said that each society of religious receives a grace particularly adapted to the duties which they are called to perform. We ought then to have great confidence in God in the discharge of all these offices of Mercy, spiritual and corporal, which constitute the business of our lives."
Reflection Question for Prayer and Faith Sharing: What does Catherine's idea that the works of mercy are the business of our lives mean to me today?
Prayer Moving to Action: As you have prayed, what has stirred in you? What does it require of you?
Prayer:
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God of Mercy, we pray for courage to see the needs of the world in which we live; for prudence to know those needs we can address and for wisdom to respond in ways that address the needs and maintain the dignity of all. You have loved us into being and loved all creation into being. We pray that we may not forget all your benefits to us - a lifetime filled with good.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.