SXU Student Travels to Ireland for Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage
Saint Xavier University (SXU) biology student Alyssa Caracheo and vice president for Mission and Heritage Jenny DeVivo, Ph.D., recently traveled to Ireland to participate in the Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage, a program for students across the globe to experience together the riches of Mercy and return as equipped leaders for their schools.
The 2024 pilgrimage was spread across four days and included keynote speakers, small group discussions and workshop activities. Sessions highlighted stories of Mercy, provided leadership formation opportunities, and presented Mercy initiatives across the globe.
"I love that the Mercy International Centre provides the opportunity for students in Mercy schools to gather every summer. The program was a perfect combination of Mercy history, the current work of the Sisters of Mercy, our own calling to be part of the work, prayer, and fun," said DeVivo.
"Visiting the House of Mercy in Dublin meant that I would have the unique opportunity to experience a deeper connection with my faith and learn more about the Mercy mission," added Caracheo.
The two found that the experience was enriching for many reasons – the insightful speakers, the historical sites, and the deep connection to the Mercy heritage.
"My favorite part of the trip was listening to the keynote speakers, especially Sister Sheila Curran. In her presentation on Catherine McAuley's fight for social justice in her day. Sister Sheila discussed how we are still facing that same challenge. I found her talk very insightful, but I was most touched by her emphasis on the importance of delivering peace and Mercy to asylum seekers. She also spoke about how two Mercy Sisters, JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy, are currently helping migrants and their families in Chicago, and as a daughter of immigrants, I felt a deep and overwhelming appreciation for the Sisters' efforts to pursue justice and educate others on the topic," said Caracheo.
"It was transformational for me to be in the House of Mercy itself, to be in the first Mercy classroom in the world, in the room where Catherine McAuley died, in the chapel where she prayed, and to stumble a little bit on the same uneven stairs that caused Catherine to stumble herself a few times. The same was true of being in the very room where Bishop O'Connor asked the Sisters of Mercy to come to the U.S. and to know that Catherine McAuley, Frances Xavier Warde, and Agatha O'Brien had all been in that room, or visiting Mother Agatha's hometown of Graiguecullen and to be on the Maryborough Street where she was born and raised. It was truly a pilgrimage to a holy place and made the story of Mercy come alive in living color," said DeVivo.
Participating in the pilgrimage and all its events enriched Caracheo's understanding of SXU's Mercy mission and left a lasting impact on her.
"Throughout this trip, I was surrounded by people who embody the mission and core values that SXU stands for. Experiencing this firsthand has inspired me to uphold that same mission in my own life. To me, Mercy means responding to someone's needs with acts of kindness and compassion. It involves alleviating someone's pain or struggles and serving them the best we can," said Caracheo.
Caracheo also felt she gained a greater appreciation for the efforts and dedication of the Sisters of Mercy.
"They have not only paved the way for students like me who want to become more compassionate
and merciful members of the community but have also given us the tools and knowledge
that we need to do so. Walking in the footsteps of the Sisters of Mercy and learning
more about their legacy was a huge honor and an unforgettable experience. I hope that
more students in the future take the initiative to attend this trip and soak in all
the beauty it has to offer."