Frequently Asked Questions
We are members of an international community of Roman Catholic women who dedicate our lives to creating a just world for people who are economically poor, sick and uneducated. Following the example of Jesus Christ and of our founder, Catherine McAuley, we serve, advocate and pray for those in need around the world.
You may have questions about what we do and how we live out the Gospel message in our daily lives.
Below are some commonly asked questions about who we are, what we do and how you might join us in our mission of service to the world, whether as a lay person or a Sister of Mercy.
Please fill out this contact form and a Sister of Mercy will respond to your inquiry.
Your generous donation to the Sisters of Mercy helps put Mercy into action. Donations are used for supporting our ministries, caring for our sisters, assisting with formation, and for areas of greatest need. To explore more about ways to give visit this page.
Quite simply, yes! We rely on your prayerful and financial support as we continue our service to the poor, sick and uneducated. To support us financially, please click here.
For a variety of resources available worldwide, please visit Mercy World.
There are several ways to connect with the Sisters of Mercy: prayer, energy and resources. Click here to leave a message and we will be in touch with you.
We promote systemic change by addressing both U.S. issues and global issues that impact the communities in which we minister. Of particular concern for us are: care for the Earth, immigration, nonviolence, racism and women’s issues. Visit Mercy for Justice to read more about working to change unjust systems.
We serve in a broad range of ministries: we’re doctors, nurses, healthcare technicians, chaplains, clinical and pastoral ministers, lawyers, paralegals, lobbyists, legal advocates, teachers, professors, librarians, counselors, case managers, social workers and administrative assistants. Sisters also serve as CEOs, CFOs, COOs; directors, coordinators, supervisors and administrators. And much more. Visit Ministries to find out more about our ministries.
All congregations of sisters share certain characteristics: they strive to live simply; they are celibate (do not marry); they give up the right to make decisions independently of their community; they choose prayer and contemplation as a significant part of every day; they engage in work (they call it ministry) that addresses the needs of other people. What differentiates the Sisters of Mercy from other women religious is our fourth vow of service to people who living in poverty, sick or lacking education.
Visit our Become a Sister section to find out more.
Absolutely. Special intentions submitted through this website are shared with Sisters of Mercy and all intentions are included in daily prayer. Submit a special intention or prayer here.
More than 3,000 Mercy Associates, several Companions in Mercy, more than 960 Mercy Volunteer Corps alumni and thousands of co-workers in Mercy-sponsored programs and institutions share in the Mercy mission. For more information on how you can connect with Mercy, visit Get Involved.
Currently, there are more than 2,200 Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and more than 6,000 from various congregations of the Sisters of Mercy worldwide. Visit Our History.
You’ll find Sisters of Mercy of the Americas residing and working in Caribbean, Central and South America (Argentina, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Panama and Peru), the Pacific and the continental United States. Congregations of Mercy can be found worldwide. Visit Where to Find Us.