Venerable
Catherine McAuley
Founder of Sisters of Mercy 1778-1841

PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER CATHERINE MCAULEY

Loving God, You chose Catherine McAuley for the service of your people who are poor, sick and uneducated. You inspired her to found the Sisters of Mercy so that these good works might endure. Give to each of us a portion of her compassionate spirit and an ardent desire to serve your suffering people.

Bless all our undertakings and grant that union and charity may always thrive among us.

Graciously, hear our prayer for Catherine and by granting the favors we ask through her intercession, hasten the day when her sanctity will be celebrated by all the Church. Amen.

Catherine McAuley

Catherine McAuleyCatherine McAuley learned compassion by pondering the life of Jesus and by imitating her parents’ example.  With inherited wealth she established the House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827 to provide a safe place for working women to live and to teach children the Catholic faith.  She founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831, the first religious community of women to minister to people in their homes, in hospitals and in prisons.  The sisters’ tender caring brought healing, courage and hope.  Motivated by the same love and compassion today, thousands of Sisters of Mercy, with their Associates and co-workers, bring God’s mercy to people wherever there is a need.  While addressing the causes of suffering, Mercy takes care of immediate needs.

Suscipe
My God, I am yours for time and eternity.
Teach me to cast myself entirely
into the arms of your loving Providence
with a lively, unlimited confidence in your compassionate, tender pity.
Grant, O most merciful Redeemer,
That whatever you ordain or permit may be acceptable to me.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety; let nothing sadden me but sin,
nothing delight me but the hope of coming to the possession of You
my God and my all, in your everlasting kingdom.  Amen.

Suscipe of Catherine McAuley
Composer: Sr.Elaine Deasy, RSM