RULE & CONSTITUTIONS: Catherine McAuley
Tender love for the poor
The Sisters admitted into this religious congregation besides the principal and general end of all religious orders, such as attending particularly to their own perfection, must also have in view what is peculiarly characteristic of this Institute of the Sisters of Mercy, that is, a most serious application to the Instruction of poor Girls, Visitation of the Sick, and protection of distressed women of good character.
In undertaking the arduous, but very meritorious duty of instructing the poor, the Sisters whom God has graciously pleased to call to this state of perfection, shall animate their zeal and fervor by the example of their Divine Master Jesus Christ, who testified on all occasions a tender love for the poor and declared that He would consider as done to Himself whatever should be done unto them.
Chapter 1, articles 1 and 2
The education of women
The Sisters shall feel convinced that no work of charity can be more productive of good to society, or more conducive to the happiness of the poor than the careful instruction of women, since whatever be the station they are destined to fill, their example and advice will always possess influence, and where ever a religious woman presides, peace and good order are generally to be found.
Chapter 2, article 5
Mercy, the principal path
Mercy, the principal path pointed out by Jesus Christ to those who are desirous of following Him, has in all ages of the Church excited the faithful in a particular manner to instruct and comfort the sick and dying poor, as in them they regarded the person of our Divine Master, who has said, “Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to Me.” . . . .
Let those whom Jesus Christ has graciously permitted to assist Him in the Persons of his suffering Poor, have their minds animated with gratitude and love and placing all their confidence in Him, ever keep His unwearied patience and humility present to their minds, endeavoring to imitate Him more perfectly every day in self-denial, patience and entire resignation. Thus they shall gain a crown of glory and the great title of Children of the Most High, which is assuredly promised to the merciful.
Chapter 3, articles 1 and 3
The perfection of ordinary actions
The perfection of the religious soul depends, not so much on doing extraordinary actions, as on doing extraordinarily well the ordinary actions and exercises of every day. In this particularly consists the difference between the perfect and imperfect in a religious community. The daily duties are the same for all, the manner of performing them distinguishes the one from the other. ...
But in order to perform these ordinary exercises well, with a view to their own perfection, they must have the purest intention of pleasing God. God and God alone must be the principal motive of all their actions — it is this pure intention of pleasing God that renders the good work valuable and meritorious. Without this the most laborious duties of the Institute, the greatest austerities, the most heroic actions and sacrifices are of little value, being divested of that merit which flows from a pure and upright intention, while on the contrary, actions the most trivial when accompanied by it become valuable and meritorious of Everlasting Life, nothing is lost, every word and action fructifies, the religious soul enriches herself every moment and lays up treasures of glory for an endless eternity.
Chapter 5, articles 1 and 3
Love and union
“Love one another as I have loved you.” This was the special command of Jesus Christ to His Apostles, and in the accomplishment of this Divine Precept, inseparably united as it is with the grand precept of the Love of God, consists, according to the Apostle, the plenitude of the Law. This mutual love, our Blessed Savior desires, may be so perfect as to resemble in some manner the Love and Union which subsists between Himself and His Heavenly Father.
This He inculcated in the strongest terms at the last Conference of His Mortal Life with His Beloved Disciples. This was His last Dying Injunction which, as a most valuable legacy, He bequeathed to all His followers, and by this they were to prove themselves to be really His Disciples. . . .
This mutual union and love should therefore eminently characterize religious souls. This should distinguish them above all others as faithful spouses, and servants of Jesus Christ. The Sisters of this pious Institute, founded and grounded on charity, should therefore make that favorite virtue of their Divine Master their own most favorite virtue. This they should study to maintain and cherish so perfectly amongst themselves as to live together as if they had but one heart and one soul in God. This love for one another should be such as to emulate the love and union of the Blessed in Heaven.
Chapter 8, articles 1 and