Young Mercy Leaders Day One Blog by Samantha O'Brien and Diana Paez

Samantha O'Brien from Gwynedd Mercy University and Diana Paez from Saint Xavier University share their thoughts and reflections from day one of the Young Mercy Leaders Programme in Catherine's House in Baggot Street, Dublin.

Samantha O'Brien

Hello, fellow Mercy family! My name is Samantha O’Brien from Gwynedd Mercy University in Ambler, PA! I am honoured to represent my school at this year’s Young Mercy Leaders Conference in Dublin, Ireland! I am also honoured to have been chosen for this year’s YML Comm Crew, where you get the scoop inside this week from students!

My fellow GMercyU pilgrims and I arrived in Belfast bright and early Friday morning after a very long flight from the States. We saw many historic sites and got to walk in the Giant’s footsteps at the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim Coast! After wrapping up our time in Belfast on Monday with the iconic Titanic Museum, we charted on to Dublin where we arrived in the early evening!

After settling into our hotel, we unanimously decided to take a walk around Baggot Street and familiarize ourselves with the House of Mercy before the start of the YML programme.

We have been filled with anticipation since our departure because everything was leading up to the moment we all stepped up to the iconic red doors for the first time. My friend Cassidy and I were close to tears because we could not believe we were standing in front of the house of the women who started it all; and who also, are the reason we are here today.

We started Tuesday with an early morning breakfast at our hotel and walked to the House of Mercy for YML day one! It was one thing to stand outside the House on Monday night, but we were completely overcome with emotions when we got to step inside. We were absolutely breathtaken. We were experiencing true Mercy hospitality. We without a doubt felt immensely welcomed by the Sisters and staff of Mercy International Association. After getting settled in the first Mercy classroom, more people started to arrive, and we immediately jumped into getting to know one another. There was no clear line of different students from different universities. It was just students of Mercy with one shared goal of coming together to better understand our past and commit to a future filled with Mercy.

We officially kicked off the YML programme by getting to know one another by sharing the history of our names. We then engaged in an activity of meeting others by finding a friend to be paired with based on various seasons. Everyone felt very easy to talk to. Afterwards we were led in a discussion about the story of Catherine McAuley's life and then the history of the penal times in Ireland. It was humble to understand that issues and turmoil that happened back then are some that are still happening today. We contemplated from the Penal Laws which limited Irish Catholics in their rights of why are we not learning from our mistakes? This was a very insightful conversation. We then took a tea break! This allowed time to of course, to have tea, but to get to know our fellow Mercy pilgrims more intimately. Social media handles and stories were shared over cups of tea or coffee.

Like returning home

The environment in the House feels familiar, like we were returning home. I knew this was a place I was meant to be; a place of hope that is run on kindness.

After a morning of learning and collaborating the group split into two to take the official tour of the House. The doors have just reopened after nine months of essential works, so we are among some of the first to walk in the newly renovated House.

We started in Catherine’s room. We have heard stories from others who have travelled to the House of Mercy and their experiences with Catherine’s room as well as her gravesite. I knew it was meant to be a special moment filled with reflection. I was taking it all in; the smell, the fresh breeze from the windows, the antique furniture.

We then went into the Infirmary where we learned that during the cholera outbreak, the house became a hospital to treat people. We also learned that a woman had her leg amputated after an infection which was one of the few times an operation was performed there. I believe that while people were physically healed there, we were being spiritually healed.

We learned that the floor in the parlour is 200 years old! I appreciate how much of the original House is still left intact today. It truly feels like we are living in the history of the Sisters of Mercy.

We travelled to Catherine’s office as well as the Callaghan room which is dedicated to Mr and Mrs Callaghan and many of the friends who helped Catherine during her lifetime.

Before heading to lunch we stopped into the Chapel which has original stained glass. There are stained glass portraits of Saints Teresa of Avila, St Patrick, St Brigid, to name a few, as well as the kneeler Catherine used to profess her vows in 1831. It amazes me how well things are preserved throughout time. Walking through her house was very special to me. We made our way to the garden which led to undoubtedly the most impactful moment of all. I stood outside her grave, and I could feel her presence. I sat with her statue for some moments of brief reflection and silence. It was very peaceful.

After lunch we departed for our Catherine's walk of Dublin but before we left we all had the opportunity to ring the house bell.

We walked roughly 5.5 miles around the North and South side of Dublin, getting the chance to see St. Patrick’s Church, Catherine’s father’s workplace, as well as where 13 Sisters of Mercy are laid to rest. We all came together to remember and pray for them.

We saw many different people from many different walks of life. This is my first time in another country, so I am getting comfortable with the uncomfortableness of walking around an unfamiliar place. We stayed together while listening to singers perform, watching bikers commute, and tour buses with guests of the country just like us are learning about the history of Ireland.

Today was an absolutely beautiful day for the walk, too. Other days were windy or rainy, but it was not too hot or too cold. I think Catherine ensured we had a pleasant day to walk around her hometown.

Upon returning to the House of Mercy, it occurred to me that that was is what many early Sisters did while taking care of the poor or sick in the community. I study Social Work and it is believed that the Sisters were the first social workers so getting to shift my mindset into theirs and get a glimpse of a day in their lives was something I will never forget.

We ended the day with pizza and reflection which was a perfect way to tie together what we experienced.

ENDS

Diana Paez - First Impressions of Dublin: A Journey of Faith and Growth

Our journey began in Chicago, where our group departed with excitement, anticipation, and a goal to grow deeper in our faith.

During our flight to Dublin, the conversations were about wonders on how the programme would be, talked about what the YML Comms Crew Daily Tasks would be like, and shared our hopes for the week.

We were all eager to embrace this incredible opportunity. The moment I arrived to Dublin, I immediately fell in love with my surroundings. The beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere made me feel alive. Everything around me was new, and I felt incredibly grateful to experience such a beautiful opportunity.

I knew that this opportunity would be something I’d never forget. On our first day of the programme we began with an introduction to the week ahead and learned about the life of Catherine McAuley.

Hearing her story made me even more excited for this new experience coming ahead. After the introduction, we toured Catherine’s House, and I was amazed from the start. Walking through a place that held so much history was an amazing feeling. Every room I stepped in carried a story of service.

When I entered Catherine McAuley’s room - the room where she died - I felt an incredible sense of peace. Standing in the same place where she once walked inspired me to use her teachings into practice in my own life.

As I stood, my classmate Vanessa was beside me. She shared that she also felt inspired by Catherine’s teachings and she stated that she felt thankful for this opportunity.

As we continued walking through the house, I became aware of this peaceful silence that I felt. There was a comforting feeling that came in every room. Being with other young people from different places allowed us to learn from each other.

My first impression of Catherine’s House was that every room had been taken care of with a unique story being told in each room.

One of the most meaningful parts of the tour was seeing the historic photographs throughout the house. It allowed me to understand the legacy that has been left behind for us.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue learning from the sisters and students. I hope to receive their wisdom, strengthen my relationship with God, and become a better person through this journey.

When I return home to Chicago, I want to carry Catherine’s teachings with me. If given the opportunity, I would encourage everyone to visit Catherine’s House at least once in their lifetime.

ENDS