Introducing Our 2026 Mercy Pilgrims

The Mercy Education Board of Directors is delighted to share the names of those selected as pilgrims for In Catherine’s Boots: A Mercy Pilgrimage to Ireland.

This fully funded pilgrimage, taking place August 17–22, 2026, will bring together educators from Mercy schools around the world for a journey to Dublin, Ireland, home to Catherine McAuley and the first House of Mercy.

During the pilgrimage, participants will quite literally walk in Catherine’s footsteps. traveling the streets where she lived and served, visiting places central to Mercy history, and engaging together in reflection, prayer, and conversation. This immersive experience is designed to deepen understanding of the Mercy charism and strengthen participants’ connection to the ongoing call to compassion, justice, and service in today’s world.

Meet the 2026 pilgrims, selected from across our Mercy school communities:

Todd Cian – The Campus Lab School of Carlow University, USA

Erin DaCosta – Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, USA

Michele D’Astoli – Mercy High School (Middletown), USA

Lucila de la Portilla – Colegio Santa Ethnea, Argentina

Theresa Gannon – Waldon Mercy Academy, USA

Andrés Sergio Ibánez – Colegio Santa Ethnea, Argentina

Abigail Kremer – Mercy Academy, USA

Angela Lawlor – Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, USA

Margaret Little Wilson – Alpha School of Music, Jamaica

Jade Mamola – Cristo Rey High School Sacramento, USA

Aldarita Marin – Saint Catherine Academy, Belize

Marelena Palmer – Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha,” Jamaica

Justine Philyaw – Mercy Career & Technical High School, USA

Nancy Ramírez – Instituto María Regina, Honduras

Rechelle Ramiro – Walsingham Academy, USA

Linda Reeves – Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary, USA

Agnes Sabadoquia – Holy Cross High School, Philippines

Allison Stevenson – Assumption High School, USA

Marcelina Tual – School of St. John the Baptist, Philippines

Ingrid Valeriano – Instituto María Regina, Honduras

These pilgrims will be joined by members of the Mercy Education staff, interpreters, and five Mercy educators from Australia:

Karyn Cronin – Our Lady of Mercy College

Jennifer Henderson – Damascus College

Naomi Olthof – Damascus College

Emma Richards – Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College

Gavin Webb – Damascus College

As our pilgrims prepare for this meaningful journey, we invite our entire Mercy community to hold them in prayer. We look forward to the ways their experiences will enrich their schools and communities upon their return, as they continue to walk in Catherine’s boots and carry Mercy forward.