McAuley Day tradition honors founder of the Sisters of Mercy

McAuley Day tradition honors founder of the Sisters of Mercy

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Each year, Salve Regina University's annual Mercy Week activities include a much-loved tradition honoring Catherine McAuley, the visionary founder of the Sisters of Mercy. McAuley Day, celebrated this year on Sept. 25, is an occasion to pause, reflect and come together in friendship as a campus community.

"It's important to remember Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy because they were ordinary people, just like all of us, who did something extraordinary," said Amy Cady, director of the Mercy Center for Spiritual Life. "Their desire to be of service to the world was so strong that they would not conform to the standards of their time, and this is what I hope for Salve students - to grow into and live their beliefs like Catherine and the first Sisters of Mercy."

McAuley's life spanned the late-18th and 19th-centuries. Her childhood was marked by the loss of her father when she was 5 years old and her mother's passing 15 years later. As a young woman, she managed the household for an elderly couple who eventually left their estate to her - a sizeable gift that could have been used to live a life of comfort.

Deeply aware of the pressing social, economic and religious challenges facing the people of Dublin at the time, however, McAuley used her unexpected inheritance to build a house of mercy on Baggott Street, where those in need could find shelter, welcome, an education and community.

Soon joined by other companions, McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 to continue this important work through a new, active form of religious life where sisters take a vow of service to the poor, the sick and the uneducated. Known as the "walking sisters" because of their compassionate and direct outreach to those in need, the Sisters of Mercy grew into a worldwide network of women whose mission to uplift those on society's margins led to the establishment of schools, hospitals and shelters around the globe.

As their influence spread across continents, the Sisters of Mercy brought McAuley's spirit of compassion and service to the United States. That same spirit would inspire the founding of Salve Regina in Newport, Rhode Island, where the institution opened its doors to the first class of students in 1947. Guided by the principles of mercy, justice and hospitality, Salve has remained committed to McAuley's vision, empowering students to excel academically and to lead with purpose and kindness.

"Throughout my time at Salve, I truly believe that the legacy of Catherine McAuley and the values embodied by the Sisters of Mercy have shaped me into a stronger leader and have strengthened my commitment to leading a life in service of the most vulnerable in our community," shared Sean Dever '25, political science major and Student Government Association president. "Mercy, as understood by Catherine McAuley, wasn't just a vague theological or philosophical principle - it was a way of life. Every day, I find this becoming more true for myself as well."

McAuley Day is an opportunity to reflect and to advance Salve's commitment to its mercy mission. This year's celebration kicked off with a service project - creating birthday banners for the Confetti Foundation, an organization that supplies parties to children who must spend their birthday in a hospital, pediatric oncology clinic or hospice facility. A campus-wide gathering also commemorated Catherine's birthday, which was Sept. 29, with a ceremonial cake cutting, followed by treats including ice cream sundaes, smoothies and goodie bags. The day's festive atmosphere continued into the evening with a bonfire and live music.

"When we were planning McAuley Day as a team, I kept coming back to the question of 'what does this mean for the students?' Yes, it's a day off from classes but it's more than that, it's a chance for us all to come together as a community in the spirit of mercy," said Dever. "The community that I've seen, the conversations that have happened, and the connections formed have been truly heartwarming. It has made me take even greater pride in serving as president of a student body who so evidently care for one another and to see our community grow closer."

While the events of McAuley Day are filled with joy, the deeper significance lies in the continued relevance of McAuley's teachings. Her commitment to education as a means of personal and social transformation mirrors the core values that Salve instills in its students today. The University's focus on service, social responsibility and promoting a harmonious world is rooted in McAuley's belief that mercy and justice are the cornerstones of a compassionate society.