Mercy Word of the Week

The Mercy Word of the Week

As we progress through the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, University Ministry offers our community a "Mercy Word of the Week" to help us focus on the themes of mercy that are already so closely aligned to our mission and heritage as an institution sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.

The first Monday of each month will bring a brief reflection on each of the University's Core Values as expressions of our Mercy charism. We hope these focused thoughts will lead to your own considered contemplation on mercy and its role in your life.

Integrity: To call someone "a person of integrity" is one of the highest compliments that can be given. Most of us aspire, whether consciously or unconsciously, to be people who stand by our principles and values and who maintain consistency between the values we hold within and the behaviors we exhibit externally.

The word integrity is derived from the Latin word "integer," which means "whole" or "complete." This etymology suggests something profoundly important about the quality of integrity. Integrity is about being our best selves, as wholly and completely as possible. Although we hear considerable praise for those who are perceived to have integrity, being people of integrity does not ultimately require any great displays of heroism. Living with integrity starts as simply as staying connected to our authentic selves and allowing that authenticity to direct our actions. In this way, integrity is a critical component of the charism of mercy.

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