Resources for Mercy Schools Following January 6 Violence at the U.S. Capitol

Statement by the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Read full statement here.

The Institute Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas strongly denounces the violence and disrespect exhibited on Wednesday, January 6, by insurgents who stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Statement by Mercy Education System of the Americas

Read full statement here.

We are shocked by the politically charged violence today at the Capitol in Washington, DC. We pray for the safety of all. As a community of Mercy, we stand for nonviolence.

Prayer for Peace from Mercy High School – Middletown, CT

This prayer was written by Ann Derbacher, campus minister at Mercy High School (Middletown, Connecticut) and was shared as part of a virtual school assembly on January 7, 2021.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, this morning we gather our Mercy community in prayer to ask that you bring peace and solidarity to our troubled country. We ask that during these times of unrest you intercede for us to your Son for the gift of peace in our nation. Mary, we ask that you help us seek the face of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

May we have peace amid the noise and chaos. Peace amid the silence and absence of silence. Peace with the choices that people make, and the paths taken, and ones not taken. May peace come to all people at this difficult time. May peace come to each of us as we pray for each other.

Mary, Mother of Mercy, please ask your Son to heal our land and bring peace to our country that is in turmoil and unrest. We desire the gift of peace. Amen.

We also share the following words from Alissa DeJonge, school president: “During times like these, it is important for our Mercy community to come together so that we can connect, feel, think and pray. We pray that our school community can be an example of what it means to have conversations filled with respect; see dignity in every person; protest peacefully; value different perspectives; and when we disagree, work together. We also hold in our hearts the safety and security of everyone in our country.”

A Lament for Our Nation

Written by the Institute Prayer and Ritual Committee. View prayer here.

MESA Resources on Nonviolence

These resources are recommended to help students grow in their understanding of our Mercy Critical Concern for nonviolence.

PBS.org: How to engage students in civil discourse following events at the U.S. Capitol

In this resource, teacher David Cutler of Brimmer and May School in Mass. shares three civic actions educators can take with their students in light of Wednesday’s events at the U.S. Capitol building.

Helping my students center in God, and go forward

This Global Sisters Report column by Mercy Educator Sister Jenny Wilson at Mount Mercy Academy in Buffalo, New York, offers a simple strategy, rooted in faith, to help students process a crisis.

Please email mesa@sistersofmercy.org to submit additional resources.