Rooted in Mercy

On this the 25th Sunday in ordinary time, I am going to wander away from the readings. I want to tell you about an amazing woman who is very close to my heart. Her name is Catherine McAuley, and she lived in Ireland in the early 1800s. She died on November 12, 1841. She founded the Sisters of Mercy, her legacy lives on, in the women who have dedicated their lives as Religious Sisters of Mercy. 

This week on Thursday, September 24, Sisters of Mercy will celebrate Mercy Day, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. Even though I left the Sisters of Mercy 14 years ago, the 30 years I spent ministering in Mercy’s name has carved Catherine’s legacy on my heart. It was my foundation in ministry and spirituality. I am forever grateful.

Catherine McAuley was a young woman from a wealthy family. But tragic circumstances left her the ward of another family when she was a young child. Catherine was dearly loved in her adoptive family, but their protestant roots ran deep, and her Catholicism was not supported. She tells of using the cross beams of the bedroom door as the cross of Jesus when she prayed. 

Catherine was assigned by the family the task of giving alms to the poor. She relished the opportunity to be with God’s poor. When her caretakers died, they left for Catherine their considerable wealth. She immediately set about helping young women in Ireland. She opened a home for women, where they learned skills they needed to get jobs as seamstresses and housekeepers. This took them from poverty and the streets. She also taught them about God, who had blessed her so much. It wasn’t long before other women joined her in her work.

At one point, a young woman came to her House of Mercy and asked for refuge because she feared for her life. Catherine had no more room, so she sent the young woman away. Later the woman was found beaten to death. Catherine vowed that never again would someone in need be turned away from her doors.

Against her own wishes, Catherine formed a religious community. The Bishop demanded she either disband her work or become a Convent. Her only non-negotiable with the Bishop was that her Sisters would continue to serve among the people. Convents at that time in Ireland were cloistered. Her sisters became known as the “walking nuns.” Reflecting the Mercy and compassion of God to those who suffer was Catherine’s passion. It was also the passion of those who joined her. 

I was honored to serve as a Sister of Mercy for 30 years. I matured in my faith, love of God, commitment to service, and prayer among women of Mercy and compassion. As I continue to minister in the Church, I know it is Catherine’s spirit that propels me to serve God’s people and pray to always have a heart rooted in Mercy.

Catherine’s prayer is a prayer known by every Sister of Mercy worldwide. With reverence, it is prayed daily. I would like to share her prayer with you.

“My God, I am yours for time and eternity. Teach me to cast myself entirely into the arms of your loving providence with the most lively unlimited confidence in your compassionate tender pity. Grant me, O Most Merciful Redeemer, that whatever you do ordain or permit may be acceptable to me. Take from my heart all painful anxiety and suffer nothing to sadden me but sin, and nothing to delight me but the hope of coming into the possession of you, My God and my All in Your everlasting Kingdom. Amen.”

In God’s Unending Love,

Gwen