"In silence and quiet, the devout soul becomes familiar with God."

Sisters of Mercy Foundress Catherine McAuley

The Sisters of Mercy sponsor retreat and spiritual centers across the United States. These places of quiet and prayer offer space and the opportunity to withdraw from the busyness of life to reflect on and deepen one’s personal relationship with God. Mercy Is aims to create an online virtual retreat environment bringing together offerings from Mercy Spirituality Centers across the country.

Find Your Center

Spiritual Formation

Our formation programs emphasize contemplative listening, discernment, practice, and reflection.

A Community of Mentors

Our community of mentors and spiritual directors carry on the Mercy tradition of excellence in spiritual formation.

Courses

Our Mentors and Spiritual Directors

Barbara

Colette

Erin

Lisa

Dale

Will

Make time for mindfulness

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a method of prayer which prepares us to receive the gift of God’s presence. This was traditionally called contemplative prayer.

Contemplative prayer is the opening of mind and heart — our whole being — to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words and emotions. Centering Prayer facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. It emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God.

Meditation

Fr. Thomas Hand, S.J. (“Hando”) founded the East-West Meditation Program at Mercy Center in 1985, after having lived nearly 30 years in Japan. During his time in Japan, Fr. Hand taught haiku poetry, and studied Zen meditation with Yamada Koun Roshi, who encouraged Western students to learn Zen as a way of deepening their Judeo-Christian faith. Hando’s groundbreaking work laid a strong foundation for the continuity of the Program.

The East-West Meditation at Mercy Center honors all faith traditions, and encourages all meditative practices that lead to a compassionate heart.

Welcome to “Mercy Is,” the online community for Mercy Spiritual Centers. May this virtual retreat environment be sacred space for each of us to learn, to pray, and to grow.

Mary A. Dillard, Director of Mercy Center Burlingame, California

Featured Offerings

Surrender All To Love

Using Jen’s book, Surrender All (Ave Maria Press) as a starting point, Jen and Mary Dillard, Director of Mercy Center Burlingame, will guide our walk together as we meditate on the Stations of the Cross. Then, Jen will guide you in creating a unique piece of expressive art that examines your own heart, finding clues to your mission call.

Writing Your Life

You are invited to take time to reflect and write about your life, present and past, in a writing community. Writing prompts, information on writing craft, and time for discussion and sharing are essential parts of the program.