The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy is an international Catholic Religious Congregation founded in 1831 in Dublin by Catherine McAuley. Catherine, inspired by her Christian faith, put her life and her resources in the service of people who were poor, disadvantaged and forgotten. Her first House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, became an anchor of hope for the Irish people and from Baggot Street a pathway of Mercy spread over Ireland, across continents and oceans bringing education, medical care and relief from poverty to people everywhere. Over the centuries of their journey Mercy Sisters have continued, in the inspiration of their Mercy Charism, to respond in love and compassion for the relief of poverty in its many different forms.

The evolution of the Mercy Order reveals a faithful commitment in responding to emerging global concerns. Today the Sisters of Mercy, sustained by contemplative living, join with others through collaboration and networking in responding with compassion to critical issues of injustice all over the world. In a rapidly changing culture, the Sisters reach out in new and diverse ministries to speak God’s Mercy in this historic time. The Sisters of Mercy continue to hear the Cry of the Poor and the Cry of the Earth as they work tirelessly for a Mercy Global Presence. The Degradation of Earth and the Displacement of People are among their primary concerns and the universal need for ecological conversion is given priority attention in all their ministries.

Today we hold in our Vision and in our Mission the legacy of our Founding Charism and following the inspiration of Catherine McAuley, we desire to be instruments of God’s Mercy for all people, giving and receiving compassion so that there may be space for everyone in the community of life. The Sisters of Mercy were once known as the walking nuns. They continue in this tradition of reaching out, in schools, in hospitals, on the street and in the chapel, keeping an open door where all people are welcome.