Dublin Pilgrimage
A Pilgrimage for Young Mercy Leaders: Summer 2024
The journey was organized by Mercy International Centre, the original House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland, built by Catherine McAuley. College and university students from all over the world were invited.
The heart of the Summer 2024 pilgrimage was a three-day conference featuring inspirational keynote presentations, as well as breakout groups exploring a variety of Mercy themes.
Prior to the conference, the Gwynedd Mercy University group traveled through Northern Ireland, learning about “The Troubles” and the ensuing Peace Process. They also got to experience the rich culture and history of Ireland, visiting popular tourist sites.
Through presentation, discussion, reflection and prayer, students engaged in the history and charism of Mercy, and returned better equipped to be distinctive Mercy leaders in our University and in our world.
Student Perspectives
"We crossed the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and got an incredible view of the Irish coast on the other side along with faint glimpses of Scotland off across the shore. After that we took off for the Giant’s Causeway. This had to be the most intriguing place I’ve been out of all my travels prior to this trip. It was such an enriching experience to see one of the wonders of the world.... While there are many fun things to do and experience in Ireland, [touring Crumlin Road Gaol, a Belfast prison] reminded us of the painful history that many Irish folk of the past experienced. The prison operated from over 150 years ago up until the 1990s. Across Belfast we also got a glimpse at things like the peace wall, a remnant of The Troubles, another difficult and tumultuous time for Ireland."
—Computer Information Science major John Rodgers '24
"Knee-deep in the conference, we started the lectures with learning about Catherine McAuley's true meaning about why she started the Sisters of Mercy. Her main reason for building the House of Mercy was to help the poor, the sick, and the women and children. She wanted to create a space where those in need could go to a place that provided the help and resources that they needed. During this time period, Catholics were not allowed to build, own a building, start their own business, and have other rights due to the Protestants having full control of the country. Catherine never let any of this stop her, and she continued to create a space that would go on to save thousands of lives."
—Early Education and Special Education major Emma Larrson '25
"Not only did Catherine McAuley start the Sisters of Mercy, she led with such incredible leadership, courage, and a heart full of love. She was brave and humorous and never let troubles bring her down. She was a woman with such a dream that she knew she couldn’t stop trying until it became a reality. Catherine didn’t dream for herself, she dreamed for everyone who came after her. When you come to Gwynedd as an incoming freshman, you are often asked 'What does mercy mean to you?' and for years, I struggled with that. I couldn’t find words to describe what it meant and truthfully, I just didn’t know. After my trip to the Mercy house, I finally got my answer. Mercy to me is so much more than being a kind person. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to quite tell anyone what mercy means; I would have to show them and hope I can make such an impact."
Dublin Pilgrimage Gallery
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