Community

The foundation of the community of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy is the charism which all of the sisters called to this Congregation share. United in this manner, they are to strive for a deep mutual love in the Holy Spirit, Who is the source of unity for the Congregation. ” [Constitutions, Art. 60]

All the members of a healthy human family walk together: they carry each other's burdens (Gal 6:2) and help each other get to heaven. So it is in our Congregation. United in one charism through the Holy Spirit, the sisters form a spiritual family, helping each other get to heaven. And they help, not only each other, but also others. Through the complete dedication of their lives to Christ, they bear witness to unity and to the presence of God’s Kingdom among us and so help them to see and to strive for what is truly important – merciful love, forgiveness, patience, kindness, humility, generosity… and eventually: eternal life with God.

Merciful love, as an integral part of community life, should be apparent first in their immediate environment. May the sisters’ daily contacts with each other be imbued with sincerity, goodness, courtesy, respect and mutual understanding. Every sister should contribute good values to the community and strive to make others feel at ease in her company.” [Constitutions, Art. 62]

Sisters enjoy each other's company and in order to live fulfilled and joyful lives, they balance their daily duties, apostolic ministry and prayer time with recreation. Recreation brings the sisters relaxation and deepens the community bond. It gives them an opportunity to get to know their fellow sisters well with their different personalities, gifts and nationalities. There is no greater joy than to see and to live in unity among diversity! As Psalm 133 says: “How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!... There the Lord has decreed a blessing, life for evermore!”

Living together as one family, religious life provides many opportunities to grow and to show respect for others, to see Christ in them, to learn from each other and to love with a love that forgets self… in one word: to please God and to grow in holiness.