Mercy Mission: HOME

Saint Xavier University, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846, is the first Mercy Institution of Higher Learning in the United States. It is Chicago's oldest Catholic University.  Saint Xavier University has many offices that support our Mercy mission.  This guide gives access to these resources, materials from the Library's collection, and links to online content.

Catherine McAuley, Founder of the Sisters of Mercy

Catherine McAuley

• Circle of Mercy: Life of Catherine McAuley Part 1 (video)
• Circle of Mercy: Life of Catherine McAuley Part 2 (video)
• The correspondence of Catherine McAuley 1827-1841. edited by Sister M. Angela Bolster.
• Letters of Catherine McAuley. commissioned by Mother Mary Regina Cunningham ; edited by Sister Mary Ignatia Neumann.
• Books about Catherine McAuley in the SXU book collection.
• 2008 Founders Day presentation: "The Idea of a Mercy University: A Conversation Between Catherine McAuley and John Newman" by S. Maureen Scott, RSM

Books about The Sisters of Mercy

• A listing of books in the SXU catalog listed under the subject heading of Sisters of Mercy.
• A larger set of books located throughout the I-Share consortium under the subject heading of Sisters of Mercy.
• Women of faith : the Chicago Sisters of Mercy and the evolution of a religious community /
  by Connolly, Mary Beth Fraser Published 2014
  Call Number: BX4482 .C66 2014 and ebook version.

Journal articles about The Sisters of Mercy

• Journal articles about the Sisters of Mercy (from our Core Collection fulltext aggregator, Academic Search Complete).
• Journal articles from the ATLA Religion Database (more discipline-specific journals).

Encyclopedia article about The Sisters of Mercy

• New Catholic Encyclopedia entry on the Sisters of Mercy

Book about the History of SXU and the Sisters of Mercy

• First in Chicago: a History of Saint Xavier University, by Joy Clough, RSM (Sisters of Mercy)

Theology Symposium, John XXIII Institute: Ten of the world's foremost Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox theologians participated in a 4-day symposium sponsored by Saint Xavier College. Each of the theologians delivered an address on a different theological problem confronting Christianity today. The talks were original contributions to the field, with concentrations on the development of doctrine as a prerequisite to the solution of theological differences and units. Some of the topics included combating atheism, women as priests, and the concept of God in relation to man.

John XXIII Vatican II Symposium host: The theological task confronting the church today : a theology symposium, March 31-April 3, 1966 Saint Xavier College. Chicago, Ill. : Saint Xavier College, 1966.

Within Saint Xavier University:

• The Sisters of Mercy -- a short history on the University site.
• SXU's Catholic and Mercy Identity -- describes how a Saint Xavier University education is informed by Mercy traditions and identities; sets forth how the University aspires to be Catholic and Mercy in all areas of its academic and communal life.
• SXU's Office for Mission and Heritage -- assists the Saint Xavier University community to be more focused on, intentional about, and accountable for pursuing its educational mission as a Catholic and Mercy institution.

Beyond Saint Xavier University:

• Sisters of Mercy -- official web site listing activities, and ways to become involved.
• Conference for Mercy Higher Education -- responsible for the preservation and development of the core Catholic identity and mission of Mercy higher education in accord with the spirit, mission, and heritage of the Sisters of Mercy.
• Mercy International Association -- an organization of the leaders of Mercy Congregations, Institutes and Federations throughout the world, founded to serve the Sisters of Mercy, their associates and colleagues in ministry.

• Wikipedia entry "Sisters of Mercy" -- contains an (incomplete) listing of affiliated world-wide schools.

Part 1: Founding of the Sisters of Mercy

• Mother McAuley - an inspirational leader (Alexis Harrison)
• Radical benevolent work  (Heather Kaminski)
• Early incidents of need and action - Walking Sisters (Abel Juarez)

Part 2: Saint Xavier Academy, 1846 to 1915

• Arrival in Chicago: The Fire, 1871 move to Cottage Grove (Valencia Pringle)
• Academies for Women (Lauren Voytal)
• 1846 Sisters start Chicago charities (Kyeara Aikens)

Part 3: Saint Xavier University, 1915 to 1970

• 1915 Saint Xavier College - Second Vatican Council, going Co-Ed (Victoria Morales)
• 1935 Nursing program, 1956 move to 103rd, 1966 John 23rd Symposium, diversity arrives  (Max Boyso)
• racial and economic changes, campus move, liberation of lay people, men arrive (Zhane Johnson)

Part 4: Saint Xavier University, 1970 to the present

• 1992 becomes a University, Mercy Service, Associates of Service (Kolin Smith)
• committed to caring, service, retreats, make a difference (Laura Gomez)
• responding to need, works of Mercy, Mercy clubs and activities (Panda Cano)

We are building a finding aid and a database of selected images from our Archives photograph collection.

Entry points will be:

• Important People (Sisters, Presidents, Faculty, Visitors)
• Important Places (historical buildings and sites)
• Important Events
• Themes over Time (i.e. Diversity, Fashion, Candid Shots, etc.)