Young Mercy Leaders Final Day Blog by Samantha O'Brien

Samantha O’Brien from Gwynedd Mercy University shares her thoughts and reflections from the final day of the Young Mercy Leaders Programme in Catherine’s House in Baggot Street, Dublin.

Hello, Mercy Family for the last time! Today we wrapped up our Young Mercy Leader programme with a beautiful day spent with re-connecting with ourselves spiritually. We came together one last time in the morning to discuss Catherine’s leadership and how we moving forward can instil Mercy in every action we take. I had several key takeaways from this; besides Catherine’s leadership lessons to include being gentle, kind, and forgiving, to name a few. If I leave the programme with any lessons learn it will be these:

1.        Don’t be afraid- Catherine never was.

2.        There’s a bigger collective of those living the life of Mercy than we think.

3.        There is still more to learn even if you think you know everything or things about yourself.

4.        God makes the meaning of life. It’s okay for us to not understand it fully. We’re not quite there yet - and that’s okay.

As a reflection from Thursday’s trip to Glendalough, we discussed the similarities between Catherine and Sain Kevin. I had a wonderful conversation with Sister Sheila Carney RSM from Carlow University about how both are seen as healing figures who were sought out by many and how they both took time to be in solitude, whether that be Catherine leaving a room to pray or Saint Kevin’s time in the cave.

We listened to the Parable of the Sower and listened to Sister Anne Lyng RSM read a letter from Catherine McAuley to us. It really felt like she was talking to us Young Mercy Leaders today. To say chills went down my spine is an understatement. We wrote the name of a meaningful person in our lives which was later placed on top of Catherine’s grave during our prayer service at the grave.

Because my friend Sara and I happened to be the first two students who left the classroom on our way to the garden, we were given the honourable responsibility to ring the house bell 11 times during the service.

We gathered around Catherine’s grave in the garden for what would arguably be one of the most impactful moments of the whole Young Mercy Leaders experience. My friend Cassidy lit a candle to leave on Catherine’s gravestone, and we began by listening to some of the records of the final hours of Catherine’s life.

My friend Nate read aloud several things which Catherine said. I closed my eyes and felt I heard Catherine’s voice speaking with him at the same time, as if she was with me in that moment. I nearly started crying, I was so moved.

Sara and I were waved off to ring the bell before anything else went on. It was very meaningful to take part of this, but to also share the responsibilities with my fellow Gwynedd Mercy students.

We sang the song OnHoly Ground as each attendee placed their prayer intention on Catherine’s grave. We took a final moment of silence to remember Catherine as well as the other 49 Sisters of Mercy who are laid to rest in the garden. It was at this time that many people began to get emotional, myself included. It was incredibly powerful and my friends noted the song of a mourning dove. Catherine’s presence was most definitely felt during this time and I believe that she was looking down at us joyfully that we came together to redefine ourselves within the mercy perspective. We are taking home with us new meaning to mercy and service.

We met for our final cups of morning tea and came back together to speak about our calls to mercy leadership. Prior to this, we prayed for Catherine’s canonization as she is in the process of potentially being canonized as a Saint. I personally love the sound of St. Catherine McAuley. I believe it is more than deserved and can only hope this is seen through. Students from each school were broken up into groups and we each discussed how mercy and service are intertwined at our schools. Many of us noticed overlaps, such as service projects, food pantries, or partnerships with local organizations. I enjoyed talking with other students more intimately like this. The conversation once again flowed quite easily.

Our last bit before lunch was writing a letter to Catherine from ourselves which will be mailed to us in six month’s time. Myself, Cassidy, and Sara went to Catherine’s office to write our letters. Words came out easier than I thought. I took up the entire page, and I think I wrote everything that I wanted to say. The three of us then reflected on our time at the House of Mercy. I enjoyed hearing their experiences as they varied from my own. We were told by peers and others back home that this experience would change us and I believe it has. I am coming home with a new lease on life and a reconnection with myself. I learned that I do not need a big sign or gesture, and to take note of the little things. God can come to us as subtlety as the wind blowing in our face. We must use discernment to and faith to guide us.

We had catered lunch in the local school and were served delicious burgers, fries, and chicken. We ate outside and enjoyed the breezy warm weather.

For our final moments together as the Young Mercy Leaders class of 2026, we spent the afternoon in the chapel. We reflected on what we would take away from this programme. We lit candles and placed our letters to Catherine on the liturgical space that had been created on floor which was covered in beautiful cloth and memorabilia from the programme.

One of the things I was most excited for was to sing the Circle of Mercy, which is now one of my favourite songs. I have a friend back home at Gwynedd Mercy and we both decided we want that song played as we walk down the aisle when we get married. It is so moving and as a musician, I love the harmonies. Sister Terry taught us the movements to the refrain. We then sang the Suscipe one last time.

To end our day, each University was presented with a certificate of recognition. Each member of the YML Comms Crew was also presented with a certificate of recognition. I had the privilege to be part of the Comms Crew.

I am still finding the words to describe this experience, but I am grateful to my peers, group leaders, the Sisters of Mercy, the staff at Mercy International Association, as well as you the readers, for joining me on this journey of Mercy.

As I stepped out of the House for the last time, I wished for the next group of Mercy Leaders to come in with open eyes and hope they find this as meaningful as I did.

Thank you.