Historical Figures: Sister Mercy

[Kris O'Sullivan]

Sister Mercy was born Mary Catherine St. Claire, of New London, Connecticut, on December 12, 1923. She came to St. Joseph's a meek and quiet schoolgirl, full of curiousity and dreams. As the Second World War escalated, and she graduated and became a nun, Sister Mary Catherine announced that she believed her calling in life was to be a healer on the battlefield, and departed for Europe before anyone had a chance to say otherwise. What exactly became of her, is still unknown.

However, stories came back to Paragon City about a nun who saved countless men on either side of the war front, dubbed with the name "Sister Mercy." The stories indicated that the nun never carried weapons, saved soldiers and civilians alike, never making a discrimination toward nationality, nor ethnicity. After the war ended, the German Republic released wartime photographs that confirmed the identity of Sister Mercy as being that of Sister Mary Catherine. A picture is hung in the school chapel, depicting her as a student of the school, around the time of her graduation. Another picture is just outside of the school infirmary, depicting Sister Mercy on the battlefield, helping a soldier to safety, with a plaque underneath reading:

"In blessed memory of Sister Mercy (Sister Mary Catherine St. Claire {Dec 12, 1923 - unknown date})

Her memory lives on with St Joseph School as a testament to the good that can be done by healers at the scene of conflict."