Little Boats of Prayer

Do you remember the first time you drove onto the property of Well of Mercy? I do. It was shortly after my father died and my world was heavy with grief. As I made my way up the gravelly hill, something happened. I could breathe deeply again. Almost immediately, I felt a familiar Presence, and my little, sad spirit latched onto a bigger Spirit. I was in prayer. Not just ‘in prayer’ like “I’m in prayer because I am talking with God.” But, ‘in prayer’ like I am driving through all the prayers that swirl in and around this place called Well of Mercy. I am breathing the air that carries the prayers of those who came before. I am walking on a path carpeted with prayers of all shapes and sizes. Just by being here, I am in prayer.

The Lenten season is an excellent time to intentionally be in prayer. Yes, sometimes I do get disheartened with prayer. I pray and things still go south. I pray and I still do not get my way. I pray and the world’s suffering still marches on. So, what’s the point? I’ve pondered that question on my visits to Well. I feel at peace while I’m here, but then, I go back into a world of bad news and chaos. These quiet prayers can seem futile. But, John O’Donohue wrote one sentence about prayer that not only encouraged me but it inspired me to stick with my prayer efforts. He wrote, “It is consoling to remember that there are old and feeble nuns in forgotten convents who live out their days by creating little boats of prayer to ferry nourishment to a hungry world.” Isn’t that the loveliest sentence you’ve ever read about prayer? I envision a convent beside the sea with little boats setting sail one right after the other.  

Every time we pray, we ferry a little boat of light out into the world. Every time we pray, we add to the harmony of the world. For instance, when we pray for mercy in our world, our prayers keep us thinking about those who especially need mercy – those who are sick, those who care for the sick, those who have lost their jobs – and maybe our prayers inspire us to reach out to those people and they feel a little bit of God’s love. Have we not just ferried nourishment into a hungry world? Maybe, on our own, we cannot create unity in our country, but maybe our prayers for unity keep us careful in the words we speak and in the things we share, and we maintain the connections in our lives instead of ripping them apart. Have we not just ferried nourishment into a hungry world?  

So, come to the Well. Rest in a hammock and rest in the Spirit. Walk the paths of prayer. Breathe in the quiet. Come to God with open hands, and add your strands of prayer to the tapestry that is beautifully woven here. May we remember that we are so “well” loved as we send forth an entire armada of little prayer boats ferrying nourishment to a very hungry world.

Lea Slaton

Executive Director

~ April ~

~ May ~

~ Future Retreats ~

Open Hands Day Retreat

Tending to You Day Retreat



Well of Mercy Summer Day Retreat

~ Sold Out Retreat? Wait List Available ~

 Relax & Ease into Sacred Time for Rest & Healing

April 2-4, 2025

WAIT LIST

Deep Dive Into Silence with Spiritual Direction (April/May)

April 30-May 3, 2025

WAIT LIST



Moving Forward Together

Women’s History Month is celebrated each year in March. We recall the many women who have inspired us through their vision, service, strength, courage and kindness. The theme for 2025 is “Moving Forward Together”. We remember the numbers of women who were dedicated to the themes of caregiving, leadership, education, mentorship and empowering people through their example—women who made a difference.  

As we consider the countless women who have left their mark, one cannot help but think of Catherine McAuley, foundress of Sisters of Mercy. At a time when women faced severe discrimination, Catherine organized and led others in improving lives through the works of mercy. She broke barriers of her time and demonstrated compassionate vision and care for the needs of people who are downtrodden. That legacy lives on in the Sisters of Mercy as they uphold the guidelines and principles of the critical concerns for the issues of women, racism, earth, immigrants and non-violence.  

At Well of Mercy, we remember the vision and ministry of Sister Donna Vaillancourt and Sister Brigid McCarthy as foundresses of Well of Mercy. We are proud to celebrate and honor the extraordinary achievements of women but especially to celebrate the legacy of these two sisters. This should not just be a time for celebration, but a call to action to continue working towards a more equitable and just world. Let us move forward together in this Lenten season and afterwards with compassion and commitment to serve the needs of others to make a difference in our world.

A Place to Heal, Rest, and Renew

Life can be overwhelming. We all need a place to step away, find peace, and restore our spirits. Well of Mercy is that place—a sanctuary where everyone is welcome, regardless of financial situation.

This sacred work is only possible because of generous donors. Your support keeps the doors open and the mission alive, offering healing to those who seek it.

Impact Partners—our monthly donors—play a vital role in sustaining Well of Mercy. Their commitment helps provide meals, maintain sacred spaces, and support the programs that nurture the body, mind, and soul. Their ongoing generosity provides stability, ensuring this refuge remains available to all.

Won’t you be an Impact Partner? Your monthly gift makes healing possible. Join us today.

Well of Mercy's Core Values



Well of Mercy, a retreat ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, grounded in the spirit of hospitality, provides quiet sanctuary and time in nature for reflection, rest and renewal for those choosing sacred time apart, enriching their spiritual and emotional wellbeing.