Become a Mercy Associate!

We, Mercy Associates, are women and men, who respond to the Gospel invitation of Jesus, and the example of Catherine McAuley, to minister to God’s children who are experiencing poverty, illness, or lack of education by living out the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy. We incorporate these values into our daily lives and share the unique mission of Mercy in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. While connected to the Sisters of Mercy, we come from many different faith traditions but are respectful of, and comfortable with, Christian symbolism and prayer.

We actively participate in the life of the Sisters of Mercy and share in the unique charism of the Institute. We do not take vows (poverty, chastity, obedience, and service) like the Sisters of Mercy do. Instead, we make a covenant (commitment) to be partners with the Sisters of Mercy and to share in their spiritual life and in their pledge of service to others and to our world. We work to extend the presence of Mercy to our sisters and brothers through prayer, solidarity, and volunteer projects.

There are more than 3,000 of us throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Guam and the Philippines. The association process is generally about a year—occasionally meeting with other Associates and Sisters of Mercy for prayer, fellowship, support, learning about the Mercy Association, and discerning if it’s right for you. After this period of mutual discernment, a covenant ceremony marks the formal commitment to the Mercy family.

Visit mercyassociation.org to learn more.

Associates in Action

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Border Crossings
December 7, 2022

I am living proof that the journey and challenges immigrant parents face can well be worth it for them and their future families. It brings me great sadness to see what immigrants face when I remember and reflect that my parents were once also facing the same challenges: not knowing the language, not knowing the process of how to apply for a visa properly, not knowing how to enter the country properly, not knowing their rights or having anyone to help.
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Hearing the Cry of Guyana’s Poor: Connecting with Earth and Social Challenges
July 7, 2022

By Elsa Cromarty, Coordinator of Mercy Associates in Guyana — “The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together….In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet….The impact of present imbalances is also seen in the premature death of many of the poor.” This quote from Laudato Si’ reminds us that we and Earth are one. We are indispensably connected, and human actions, good or bad, decisively affect our relationship with the environment.
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Walking with Saints at the Border
June 25, 2022

By Joanne Castner, Mercy Associate — On May 8, 2022, 13 of us from across the United States gathered in the living room of the Columban Mission House in El Paso, Texas, the beginning of an immersion trip to meet with people who find ways to organize their communities and improve living conditions for those in need, and to discover why so many people from other countries are seeking to cross our nation's borders.

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