Mercy Week

On Sept. 24, 1827, in Dublin, Ireland, Catherine McAuley founded a home to shelter and educate young girls. This house would be the foundation for the Sisters of Mercy — and for 17 U.S. colleges and universities, including ours.
Each September, we celebrate this heritage during Mercy Week to coincide with the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy.

We should be shining lamps,
giving light to all around us.

— Catherine McAuley

A Weeklong Celebration

Mercy Week features a variety of educational and service-related programming that brings our campus community together, from inspirational films and engaging lectures to shared meals and lively discussions. We talk about current crises in our country and world, and think of ways the Mercy community can impact change. We also honor exceptional individuals at GMercyU for their commitment to service. Specific programming changes from year to year, but the Mercy message is always loud and clear.

Mercy Week 2022: September 19-24

Join us throughout the week for a variety of programming focusing on social justice and the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. Please check back for more details.

Monday, September 19

SGA Blood Drive
Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Griffinaerie

Memorial to the Lost (Heeding God’s Call) Display 
Sponsored by the Mercy Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice
Location: TBD

Mercy Mass
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Location: Ceremony takes place in front of Assumption Hall; reception to follow inside
Watch the live stream below:

Banned Book Display
Location: JBA Lobby
Explore the contents of banned books and challenged passages at a display in the Julia Ball Lobby on Monday 9/19 and Tuesday 9/20. Please join us from 1:00-2:30 pm on 9/20 in the Julia Ball Auditorium for a panel discussion that addresses how library books became the stuff of culture wars, the relationship between recent book bans and violence against marginalized communities, and what academic and intellectual freedom might mean for us today. If you wish to participate in a live reading of a passage from a banned book, please email spectrum@gmercyu.edu. 


Tuesday, September 20

SGA Blood Drive
Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Griffinaerie

Blessing of the Mercy Center for Service, Spirituality, and Justice
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Mercy Hall

Banned Books Panel Event (with Banned Books Display)
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Keiss Library


Wednesday, September 21

International Day of Peace, hosted by CORE Programs
Time: 1 - 3 p,m,
Location: University Hall Rotunda
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence. Learn how to incorporate non-violence into your everyday life, about examples of community peace, and sign the GMercyU Peace Pledge in this pass-by event.  
Sponsored by CORE Programs. Questions can be directed to StudentEngagement@gmercyu.edu  

Project Linus Service Event
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: University Hall Rotunda 
Sponsored by The Mercy Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice. Questions can be directed to plummer.b@gmercyu.edu Learn more about the project.


Thursday, September 22

Christine Eberle, former Director of Campus Ministry, presents “Self-Knowledge: The Essential Component of a Nonviolent Heart”
Time: 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Location: UHall W105

Project Linus Service Event
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: St. Bernard's Lobby
Sponsored by The Mercy Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice. Questions can be directed to plummer.b@gmercyu.edu Learn more about the project.

Mercy Focus on Haiti
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Connelly Faculty Center and Zoom
Register in advance here. 


Friday, September 23

Mercy Tea and Author’s Celebration
Have you published research between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022? We would love to feature you! Please submit your research here.
Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m. 
Location: Keiss Library

Project Linus Service Event
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: Mercy Hall 7
Sponsored by The Mercy Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice. Questions can be directed to plummer.b@gmercyu.edu Learn more about the project.


Saturday, September 24

Mercy Day / Red & Gold Day / Fall Fest
Time: 3 - 7 p.m.
Location: GMercyU Pavilion
Details here!