As part of our commemoration of Black Catholic History Month, we share this story of two Sisters of Mercy — Sister Larretta Elizabeth Rivera-Williams and Sister Boreta Singleton.
The records we have of the long life of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) defy the term “dark ages.” This German Benedictine abbess lived to be 81, despite many illnesses. According to well-preserved records, she was a visionary, a theologian, architect, artist, musician, scientist, environmentalist, homilist, letter writer, feminist and activist. She was acclaimed a saint in the years after her death, but was not formally canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church until 2012, by the German-born Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
By Marianne Comfort, Sisters of Mercy Justice Team member – This summer, many of us were pleased when President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. After months— no, years—of advocacy by a broad array of groups, Congress had finally passed significant investments in the transition to a clean energy future. And at a time when there seemed little to celebrate with legislation, it could be easy to see this as a victory.
By Sister Regina Ward, Associate Director for Mission Integration, Mercy Education — Mercy Day is the anniversary of the opening of the first House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley and her two companions, Anna Maria Doyle and Catherine Byrn, on September 24, 1827. Many sisters who attended Mercy schools remember having a day off on September 24, most likely because the sisters who worked in the school considered it a feast day and would take the day to celebrate Catherine and her legacy.
Join us in prayer as we celebrate Mercy Day!