Brothers of Mercy

Spiritual History

The mission of the Brothers of Mercy was established more than a century ago in Hadamar, Germany. Founder Brother Ignatius (Peter) Loetschert was born into a strongly religious family. He was encouraged by members of the clergy to focus his considerable energy and enthusiasm toward benefiting others on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church.

Soon he was joined by a small community of dedicated individuals whose focus was caring for the sick of their region. The group had a very difficult start, facing poverty, famine and lack of important medical skills. Brother Ignatius encouraged the mission forward through his studies of nursing with the Alexian Brothers. When he felt he had garnered sufficient skills, he returned to his group and shared the knowledge with the other Brothers. It wasn’t long before word of their efforts spread. Soon, their works of compassionate health care drew others into their community.

In 1856, the religious congregation of the Brothers of Mercy was formally established. Twenty years later, the Brothers established a congregation in Amsterdam, Holland and, later still, another in South Africa. In 1924 a number of Brothers were invited by the Buffalo Diocese to come to Western New York to spread their special mission. They established a residence on Cottage Street and began their work of caring for patients in their homes. The demand for their spiritual and medical skills grew and, in 1938, a second residence in the city was established on Jewett Parkway. Eleven years later, the North American Province of the Brothers of Mercy was formally established.

The Provincial headquarters were moved to Clarence, N.Y. in 1952. A year later, patients from Cottage Street were moved into the newly constructed Sacred Heart Home. In 1972, the Brothers opened the 100-unit Senior Apartment Complex on the campus. Within the next twelve months, the Brothers again embarked on a massive project -- creation of the 240-bed facility which would become known as the Brothers of Mercy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. When it opened in 1975, the Sacred Heart Home was converted into a well-aged adult care facility.

In 1977, the Brothers of the North American Province received funding from the Dutch province that enabled them to build a new residence for the congregation. The structure is designed to house the Brothers for many years to come and, if the need arises, it may also be used as another health-care facility to ensure the continuation of their mission of caring for others.

The Brothers are also working closely with Town of Clarence officials in a project that will expand a neighboring cemetery that has reached its current capacity and create a memorial plot for the Brothers.

The work of Brothers of Mercy has long been recognized for excellence across Western New York. In early 2002, the Clarence Chamber of Commerce noted their continued efforts on behalf of the town and neighboring communities in naming the Brothers of Mercy campus the 2002 Business of the Year.