ABOUT US

We are an international community of Catholic women religious, officially founded in 1856 through Father Theodosius Florentini and Sister Mary Theresa Scherer.

Our vocation as Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross is summarized in Article 1 of our Constitutions: The Spirit of our Congregation is the Spirit of the Gospel as it animated St. Francis and our founders Father Theodosius Florentini and Mother Mary Theresa Scherer. They were very moved by the Gospel and the spiritual values that flow from it. These form our call and identity of Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross.

As individual persons and as communities, we follow the footstep of the compassionate and crucified Jesus. According to his example, we commit ourselves to a life of evangelical poverty, obedience and celibacy.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF OUR FORM OF LIFE ARE:

• Life in a spiritual community: The community is the context of mutual sharing and acceptance, of mutual respect and reconciliation. The individual Sister experiences encouragement, support and security.
• Rooted in God through common and personal prayer: We allow ourselves to be formed through the Word of God, in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Sacraments and Meditation.
• Mission in the world:  We are dedicated to socio-charitable works: In health-care, in schools and other areas of education, in passing on the Christian faith.

The way we put our mission into practice varies according to the time, place and social environment.