Yesterday we celebrated Mercy Day, when we stand in unity with Mercy people around the world looking to Mary, our Mother and Woman of Mercy, calling each of us to live the Gospel with Justice, Compassion, Courage and Joy.
Mercy Day celebrates the opening of Catherine McAuley’s House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin in 1827 - when she placed this ministry under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of Mercy. Read more about Catherine McAuley.
We are called to give thanks to God for all our blessings and to be and live Mercy for others ‘to keep alive the founding spirit of Catherine among peoples of the world most in need of God’s compassion and mercy.’ Read the Mercy International Association Vision Statement.
Let us reflect upon the Gospel (Matthew 25) from our Mass yesterday:
For I was hungry, and you gave me food,
I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger, and you welcomed me,
I was naked, and you gave me clothing,
I was sick, and you took care of me,
I was in prison, and you visited me.
Then the righteous will answer him,
‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food
or thirsty and gave you something to drink?
And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you
or naked and gave you clothing?
And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
And the king will answer them,
‘Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine,
You did it to me.’
Happy Mercy Day!