Explore exciting lineup of events for annual Mercy Week

Salve Regina University’s annual Mercy Week celebrations pay tribute to the ongoing legacy of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine devoted her life to helping the poor, sick and uneducated of Dublin, Ireland. Her vision of mercy was rooted in compassion and a profound commitment to social justice — values that continue to influence the Salve community today.

Mercy Week events provide the opportunity to gather and reflect on what mercy means and how we might demonstrate mercy through our deeds. This year will focus on the critical concern of immigration, which serves as a reminder of our shared humanity. Activities are designed to inspire students, faculty and staff to think about the tiny but significant actions we can do to help make the world a more compassionate and just place.

Join the campus community in celebrating what it means to live a merciful life and strive toward a world that is harmonious, just and merciful.

Mercy Week schedule of events

Sunday, Sept. 22

Sunday Mass

5 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Kick off Mercy Week with Sunday Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Henning of the Diocese of Providence and University Chaplain, Fr. Ray Malm. All are welcome.

Monday, Sept. 23

Faith & Food with Dr. Yvan Ilunga

6-7 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Mercy Commons

Join us for a very special Mercy Week Faith & Food hosted by Mercy in Motion in the new Mercy Commons. Enjoy a home cooked meal and an evening of conversation with Dr. Yvan Ilunga, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, as we recognize the mercy critical concern of immigration.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Mercy Tea

1-2 p.m. in Ochre Court

Join the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education on Mercy Day for this special Mercy Week treat! This year, we will focus on the mercy critical concern of immigration.

“Migration, in its various forms, is not a new phenomenon in humanity’s history. It has left its mark on every age, encouraging encounter between peoples and the birth of new civilizations. In its essence, migration is the expression of the inherent desire for the happiness proper to every human being,” said Pope Francis.

What is the story of your migration journey? How have you or your family crossed a boundary of country, culture or community to pursue fullness of life? Members of our Salve community will be invited to share their migration story and some homemade treats that help tell their journey story. We ask all interested in attending to kindly register for this event.

To register, go here.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

All Salve community members are invited to make birthday banners for the Confetti Foundation.

To register, go here.

Open Mic for Mercy Week

1-3 p.m. on the front lawn of McAuley Hall

Join Salve Music Ensembles Club and talented Salve community for a special Open Mic for Mercy Week on the front lawn of McAuley Hall. Have a song and instrument you want to sing? Come by and share! An Open Mic by nature builds community and collaborations, which is what Mercy Week is all about. You won’t want to miss this special afternoon of celebration.

In the event of rain, the event will be held in Angelus Hall.

Thursday, Sept. 26

Mercy Week Sabbath Time

1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on the grove of Misto Gatehouse

Join us for a special Mercy Week Sabbath Time. Together, we will honor our mercy heritage as we bring awareness to the critical concern of immigration. In the event of inclement weather, join us in the chapel prayer room. An open house in the new Mercy Commons will immediately follow.

Mercy Commons Open House

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Immediately following the Mercy Week Sabbath Time, join us for an afternoon treat as we unveil the Mercy Commons, located in the lower level of the chapel and home to the Center for Community Engagement and Service and the Center for Spiritual Life. Come for Sabbath Time and stay for treats.

Faculty Lecture Series: Dr. John Quinn, “Building Bridges: Mercy Ministries in Newport since 1854”

4 p.m. in McKillop Library

While the Sisters of Mercy are best known in Newport for sponsoring Salve Regina, they had been ministering in the city for almost a century before establishing the college. The first nuns to come to Newport, they arrived in 1854 to run St. Mary’s grammar school. In the years following, they established a high school at St. Mary’s, a grammar school in the Fifth Ward at St. Augustin’s and the Mercy Home and School, an orphanage in the city’s north end. By the time Salve Regina opened in 1947, most Newport residents were very familiar with the Sisters of Mercy and well-disposed toward them.

Sunday, Sept. 29

Fall Festival Mass

10-11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Sunday Mass during Fall Festival in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel. All are welcome.

Sunday Mass

5-6 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Close out Mercy Week with Sunday Mass celebrated by Fr. Ray Malm. All are welcome.

For the full schedule, to register for events and other details, visit the Mercy Week website here.

Article written by student writer Susan Azizi ’24