Mercy Heritage

Mercy heritage is about remembering and honouring what has gone before us. It is also about preserving the story of Mercy. We do this to nourish what is in us so that we are inspired to go forward in mission. In this section you will find the story of Catherine McAuley and Mercy; The Dublin of the 1800s and the places connected to Catherine; and the film In God Alone. You will also find information about the pioneering Mercy Foundresses; interesting dates and events in the Mercy Story. Preservica (new) is our way of ensuring that our rich heritage is preserved and made available now and for future generations.

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Catherine

Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in September, 1778. In 1824 she used her inheritance from an Irish couple she had served for twenty years to build a large House of Mercy on Baggot Street, Dublin in response to the needs of the poor of Dublin. This is her story.

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Mercy Foundresses

Stories of courageous and skilled Mercy women of faith who took the Sisters of Mercy to communities across Ireland and to countries, including the United Kingdom, Newfoundland, the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa, in the space of a few decades in the nineteenth century.

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Mercy Archive - Preservica

We have many primary sources relating to Catherine McAuley and the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy. Our archive consists of artefacts and treasures such as a collection of Catherine’s letters, her writings as well as documents relating to the first House of Mercy. There are also letters written by the early foundresses. Preservice is our online platform for sharing our rich heritage.

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Catherine's Dublin

Discover the story of Catherine McAuley by exploring this virtual tour of Dublin. The tour visits many landmarks of importance in the life of Catherine and the history of the Sisters of Mercy.

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On This Day

For those of us who like history, here is a resource to discover what happened in our Mercy Story on this day.

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In God Alone Film

This beautifully put together docudrama telling the story of Catherine McAuley, features many re-enactments of actual events in her life from her childhood to her last days.

Catherine McAuley and the Mission of Mercy – new permanent exhibition at MIC

Mercy Spirituality

Mercy Spirituality is about taking time to come to the well, to being refreshed and re-invigorated to do what we do and be as we can be in a new way that is merciful and compassionate. Mercy Spirituality is about raising awareness of the merciful God present in our lives. It influences the way we are in the world and is very much rooted in the Mercy Charism given to us by Catherine McAuley. It is about prayer but it’s also active – prayer in action.