Telling the Story of the Establishment of MIA & Centre

Editor: This morning all present at Baggot Street gathered on the sanctuary to say together the Prayer for MIA, bringing to conclusion the 30 days prayer, which has been said here each morning at 10.20am.

The global Mercy family was well represented in those present for prayer. In our prayer we remembered Ethel Bignell rsm, former MIA Administrator, who went to her eternal reward on Monday morning and Marie Chin rsm (Americas) and Helen Harding (Newfoundland) who are both unwell.

From early afternoon Sisters arrived at MIC in readiness for this evening's Welcome Reception and Formal Opening event. The corridor outside the Chapel was filled with loud delight at reunions and new meetings. Those who opened the Chapel door ' just for peek' inside were drawn to do so by having heard the wonderful sounds - voice, guitar, flute, violin and keyboard- of the musicians (Srs Ailish O'Brien, Marie Cox, Frances Kennedy and Patricia Donovan) rehearsing. Once inside the Chapel, they found  the audio engineer and those involved in the livestreams setting up cables, cameras and microphones for tonight's video livestream. Tonight's livestream is being archived on the mercyworld website in two parts: The Ritual prepared by the Americas (part 1) and Playback Theatre and the concluding hymn (Salve Regina) as part 2.

All who arrived early today were fortunate to have a first opportunity to visit the Face of Mercy Today exhibition on display in the International Room. The feedback has been in superlatives 'magnificent', 'wonderful', 'amazing'. Readers in Ireland do note that the Exhibition is on at Baggot street until 6 October. We will share more from the Exhibition over the coming days.

The Chapel filled quickly this evening and every seat was well taken by 5pm when Mary Reynolds rsm (Executive Director MIA) offered a Cead Mile Failte to those present in person and those present online. Mary commenced her welcome using the words from the Mercy Day greeting of Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland) for on this date 'Earth enjoys the spring equinox in the south and the fall equinox in the north – day and night are in complete harmony on every part of our Earth' Read the rest of Mary's welcome here (PDF).

It was a great start to a great week as the feedback already received from Sisters who joined in online from Ireland, Aotearoa, Newfoundland and South Africa attests. We welcome your reflection and responses and hope that you are able to gather with us in prayer, ritual and celebration this week, from wherever you are in the Mercy world.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA