A Comfortable Cup

At Easter in 1841, Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, was engaged busily in preparations at Baggot Street for the profession and reception of young women who were joining the order. In the midst of her activity, she made time to pen “a few hurried lines” to Sister Elizabeth Moore rejoicing about their beloved community:

All are good and happy.
The blessing of unity still dwells amongst us.
And oh, what a blessing.
It should make all things pass into nothing.
All laugh and play together, not one cold stiff soul appears.
This is the Spirit of the order indeed – the true Spirit of Mercy.

Just a few months later, in November 1841, Catherine lay dying surrounded by her loving Sisters. As she spoke with those gathered, she asked that, after she was gone, they would “get a comfortable cup of tea and comfort one another.” She, who had extended such warm and practical hospitality to so many throughout her life, now ensured that her dying words would enshrine this hallmark of the Mercy charism in the hearts and lives of all those who would follow her. To welcome the stranger, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry, to visit prisoners, to teach the uneducated – these are the works of Mercy, which Catherine described as “the business of our lives.”

This has been the business of Mercy Medical Center since its inception in 1900. As we care for the sick and enhance the health of our community, we continue to welcome all with love and compassion.

May Mercy’s Comfortable Cup serve as a symbol of our personal care and concern for all people.