“There is always hope for a tree….it can start its life again…let it scent water, and it buds, and puts out branches like a plant newly set” Job 14:7-9

If I were to introduce you to a random selection of Mercy Associates, you would probably feel that you meet these people every day, men and women, married and single, working and retired. What is it that characterises Mercy associates? They are bonded by the quality of mercy or compassion which inspires the way in which they live their daily lives.

Associates of religious congregations are groups of people who are not members of religious congregations, but through a less formal association, share in the charism, spirituality and mission of the congregation. This renewed emphasis on meaning and prayer has been a spontaneous growth, and probably for the congregation, a further call to conversion and return to the original charism – and this at a time of unprecedented change in our history.

Following Vatican II, religious were encouraged to return to the charism of their founders. In doing so, many of them found they were beyond the strict confines of vowed membership. At the same time the church had begun to speak of the spirituality of Lay people, but little was available by way of guidance or structure.

For us, the Sisters of Mercy, the call of the second Vatican Council was to return to the charism and vision of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley, whose story and inspiration have perennial appeal. Her dream of serving the poor began with a vision of Laywomen living and praying together, and giving what time and energy they could without the formality of conventual life. However, circumstances of the time dictated that a religious congregation would best enable the continuity of the work, leading Catherine to found the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. Today, the Spirit calls both congregation and association to journey together in reflection and prayer into a future of Mercy life, which is not yet clear.

Patricia Kelly, Director of Associates, and Teresa Delaney, Provincial Archivist, with some associates from Athlone and Moate on a Mercy Day visit to the Western Province Archives in Galway

With groups of Associates already in the United States, in Ireland informal groups began to form in the 1980’s and earlier, and though the idea was explored in the diocese of Elphin, the timing wasn’t right. However, with Lay opinion being sought in preparation for chapter meetings during this period, the seeds of hope remained alive. Associates of Mercy in Ireland had its formal beginnings in the 1990’s with 3 initial groups being formed in each of the towns of Sligo, Castlerea and Boyle, followed shortly by Athlone, Moate, Ballinasloe, Ballina and Ballinrobe.

Through gleaned experience from established groups, outline structures were put in place, though groups were encouraged to follow the promptings of the Spirit, and define their own identity and character. Over time, they clarified their identity around prayer, meaning in life, companionship and mutual support,  thus expanding their role within the Mercy Association.

The nature of association is not closed and holds possibility for many new forms – most research articles on associates today, talk of a universal need for the empowerment of the associate group to produce its own leaders and shape its own future. Though Catherine McAuley and her followers gave a specific form and direction, mercy or compassion is broader than the Mercy congregation and this rapidly changing age calls out for different forms and directions. People have a specific interest in the various aspects of Mercy life and channels must be kept open for people to respond individually. Time commitment needs to be flexible too, as monthly meetings suit some but not all, and less frequent/more involved meetings may be an option for some.

Here in the Western Province, the norm is a monthly meeting of about an hour’s duration and an annual general meeting of all groups. At present the Director of each group is a Sister, and these Directors themselves meet once a year for support and exchange of ideas.

The associate movement in the church is now about twenty years old – a movement which is growing, while vowed membership of congregations in the developed world is in the decline. What is it about Mercy life that appeals to them? The consensus is the inspiration of Catherine’s life and attitude – summed up so beautifully in her favourite prayer the Suscipe. The chat over a cup of tea at the end of each meeting is the time of bonding and the seedbed of trust. This very human enjoyable exchange that was very much a part of Mercy life in Catherine’s time, has firmly re-established itself in Associate groups as evidence of her spirit still moving among us.

In 1996 and again in 1999 Pope, John Paul II expressed publicly his support for Associate groups, saying that they should be fostered and held in high esteem. He sees in them a providential expression of a new springtime in the church brought forth by the Spirit

Wherever seedlings of a charism take root, they need to be nurtured and cultivated. So if you feel called to start a group of Mercy Associates in your area or know someone who may like to become an Associate, contact your Provincial team or an Associate Director and you will be put in touch with people who will provide you with support and guidance.

Patricia is the Director of the Associates in Athlone as well as working in the Mercy Education office of the Western Province in Tuam

Patricia Kelly rsm
Western Province