The Spirit of Mercy

‘God who is rich in mercy’ is revealed to us through Jesus Christ who said of himself ‘I am the way the truth and the life.’

Across the centuries many people have walked his ‘way’ and great humanitarian and altruistic movements have been born: movements for reform and the betterment of people fired by compassionate, courageous men and women. Such a woman was Catherine McAuley.

“You never knew her. I knew her better than I have known anybody in my life. She was a woman of God, and God made her a woman of vision. She showed me what it meant to be a Sister of Mercy, to see the world and its people in terms of God’s love; to love everyone who needed love to care for everyone who needed care. Now her vision is driving me on. It is a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy”

A letter to Sr. Mary Gonzaga O Brien in 1879

Deep within us we experience our need for mercy and the call to be merciful. Let us ponder deeply on this word mercy.

Reflection on the Anniversary of the Death of Catherine McAuley