Thursday 24 September is the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy and is celebrated the world over as Mercy Day.

On 24 September 1827, some 193 years ago, Catherine McAuley opened the “House of Mercy” in Baggot Street, Dublin to provide compassionate care to those in desperate need of help. 

Once again this year Mercy Day was celebrated here in our Diocese by the staff of our Mater Hospitals, Mercy Aged Care Facilities, Mercy Linen Service and Mercy Food Service.   

Mercy Day is a very special day for the Sisters of Mercy and for all who partner with them today to carry forward their Health and Aged Care ministries. 

Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton Staff attend Mercy Day Liturgy  

The ministry of Mercy that Catherine started 193 years ago by opening the “House of Mercy” spread around the globe and people working for Mater and Mercy Ministries here in CQ celebrated Mercy Day with their Ministry colleagues here in Queensland, Australia and all over the world.       

As we look around our Mater Hospitals and Mercy Aged Care facilities today, it is amazing to think that the compassionate and merciful care delivered each and every day to the sick and the aged started with the courage and vision of one woman, Catherine McAuley.

Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg Staff enjoy Mercy Day Celebration.

At the heart of Mercy Day is the value of Compassion and Catherine’s own words on the importance of compassionate care of others speak to us as clearly today as when she spoke them almost 200 years ago.

“There are things the poor prize more highly than gold, tho’ they cost the donor nothing; among these are the kind word, the gentle compassionate look and the patient hearing of their sorrows”.