Salve celebrates our mercy tradition

Each fall, the Salve Regina University community takes time to honor our roots with Mercy Week – days marked by reflection, celebration and action. 

“Mercy Week is one of the most powerful times of the year for our campus because it brings Salve’s mission to life in a tangible way,” said biochemistry major Leandhy Williams ’26, president of the Multicultural Student Organization. “It’s a moment when we pause our busy schedules to reflect on what it truly means to live out mercy, not as an abstract value, but as an everyday practice of compassion, justice and care for others.”

Mercy in action

This year’s events invited the campus to explore mercy as both a personal calling and a force for social change. The week opened with a Mass celebrating the 15th anniversary of Our Lady of Mercy Chapel and continued with community discussions, readings and keynote lectures.

Among the highlights were talks by Dr. Gloria Purvis ’24 (Hon.) and Fr. Bryan Massingale, who challenged the community to consider how mercy and racial justice intersect.

Massingale is a nationally recognized theologian, ethicist and author known for his groundbreaking work on racial justice, social ethics and Catholic social teaching. His keynote invited the Salve community to confront racism through the lens of mercy.

“His words pushed us to think about mercy beyond sentiment – as something deeply tied to truth, accountability and the pursuit of justice,” Williams said. “It reminded me that being merciful also means being brave enough to confront inequity with compassion and clarity.”

The critical concern of racism took center stage this year, inviting the community to engage in honest conversation and action.  

“The events of the week gave students, faculty, staff and community partners opportunities for real dialogue, reflection and action around our mission,” said Dr. Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, special assistant to the president for mission and planning.

She emphasized that the work of mercy extends far beyond a single week.

“Mercy can be realized in little and big ways each day,” she said. “Building a more harmonious, just and merciful world gives great purpose and meaning to our lives. Even if we do not realize our mission fully, it is worth striving for.”

Celebrating Catherine McAuley’s legacy

The week concluded with McAuley Day, a beloved Salve tradition that honors Catherine McAuley, founder of the University and the Sisters of Mercy. Students, faculty and staff celebrated with food, games, service and community-building events, including the annual birthday celebration on McAuley Lawn, service projects for the Confetti Foundation and a lively bonfire and roller-skating night on Gerety Lawn.

“Salve has taught me that mercy isn’t just something we celebrate once a year; it’s a lifelong way of seeing and treating others,” Williams said. “When we practice mercy every day – in our friendships, classrooms and communities – we help build a culture that reflects Salve’s mission in the most genuine way possible.”

As the celebrations ended, the message was clear: mercy at Salve is more than a tradition – it lives in the people who bring compassion, courage and kindness to life every day.