New Digital Exhibit from Mercy Heritage Center

 The Mercy Heritage Center—a museum, education center, and the National Archives for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas -- has published its first digital exhibit, titled Civil War Sisters: Healing the Wounds of the Nation.

It focuses on the role of the Sisters of Mercy in the American Civil War. It also explores the context of that time period—what was medicine like in the 1860s? What was Catholic American life like in the 1860s? What was the American Civil War? How did the history of the Sisters of Mercy affect their actions up till that point? Sr. Paula Diann Marlin, RSM is also featured in two short oral history clips within the digital exhibit.

Although 150 years have passed, the Civil War remains etched in American memory. The service of Catholic sisters, however, remains a rarely told story. The sisters were small in number, but the impact of their work loomed large in the landscape of the war. During the darkest hours of suffering, the sisters’ compassion was a beacon of hope for the wounded and dying. The service of Catholic sisters was, and remains, a vital part of the American story.

For more information, contact Emily Reed, Digital Archivist (ereed@sistersofmercy.org)