The Religious Sisters of Mercy are part of a religious institute of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831 Dublin, Ireland. The organization began a house of religion built by McAuley, who used an inherited fortune to provide educational, religious, and social services for poor women and children. There was local opposition to the work because it was more traditional for nuns to engage in this sort of activity, so eventually the Church agreed to the formation of a non-cloistered religious institute, and the Sisters became known as walking nuns, because of their work caring for the poor outside of a convent. The original house still serves today, as the Mercy International Centre. McAuley and two of her associates became novitiates with the Presentation Sisters, after which she became Sister Mary Catherine, appointed the first Mother Superior of the new congregation, a position in which she served for the remainder of her life. The Religious Sisters of Mercy was formally approved in 1835, under the Rule of Saint Austin. The Sisters of Mercy are an international community of Roman Catholic religious who are vowed to serve those who are suffering from poverty, illness, and lack of education, with a particular concern for women and children. Its members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, as well as vows of service. Many Sisters engage in teaching, medical care, and community programs and, more recently, in lobbying and politics. They continue to participate in the life of the communities in which they serve, in keeping with their original mission of serving the poor and the needy. The Religious Sisters of Mercy have founded or operate several schools throughout the world, particularly in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Jamaica, and Belize. The organization is registered as a religious and charitable organization in several countries, and as a registered charity in Ireland.
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The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Louisville, Kentucky in 1869 to operate Federal Marine Hospital, establishing Saint Catherine Academy in 1872, and the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy in 1901, which is commonly known as Mercy Academy today. Its history, mission and philosophy are presented, along with a faculty and staff directory, campus projects, schedules, and publications.
http://www.mercyacademy.com/
Mercy Education System of the Americas
MESA is an international system of education system operated by the Sisters of Mercy, with schools in Argentina, Belize, Guam, Honduras, Jamaica, the Philippines, and the United States. An overview of its educational philosophy and programs is put forth, along with information about the institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, and its programs. A directory of contacts is included.
http://mercyedu.org/
Sisters of Mercy / Hermanas de la Misericordia
Founded by Catherine McAuley, an Irish Catholic laywoman, in the early 1830s, the Sisters of Mercy arrived in the United States from Ireland in 1843. The history and a profile of the international congregation and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas is put forth, with an overview of its leadership, locations, facilities, mission and values. Guidance for those who are interested in joining the congregation is included.
https://www.sistersofmercy.org/
Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation
The Foundation makes grants on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas South Central Community to support the work of selected non-profit schools, health care facilities, and social service organizations. Its priorities, geographic focus, decision-making process, and types of grants considered are defined, as well as those that are generally not eligible for assistance through the Foundation.
http://www.somncfdn.org/
Mercy International Association was created in 1992 in collaboration among the Sisters of Mercy. The organization of leaders of Mercy congregations, institutes, and federations throughout the world works to foster a unity of mind and heart among Sisters of Mercy, facilitate collaboration among the congregations, institutes and federations, and to nurture the charism of Mercy. Its strategic plan, a vision statement, and contacts are posted.
http://www.mercyworld.org/
