Tragic events: 150th anniversary celebration of the House of Mercy postponed

Tragic events: 150th anniversary celebration of the House of Mercy postponed

On June 11, 2025, the House of Mercy in Vienna was supposed to celebrate an important anniversary: ​​the 150th anniversary of its founding. A festive event was planned in the science hall, to which around 730 guests were invited, including political representatives and church dignitaries. However, a tragic event in Graz has postponed the celebrations and they will now take place in autumn 2025, as ots.at reports.

Christoph Gisinger, the director of the institute, emphasized the importance of compassion and solidarity in such difficult times. Instead of the celebrations, a memorial and prayer hour will be held in St. Stephen's Cathedral at 5:00 p.m., which will also be attended by representatives of the House of Mercy. Markus Müller, Rector of the Medical University of Vienna and planned keynote speaker, was very affected by the recent events.

About the House of Mercy

The House of Mercy, one of the largest private care facilities for people in need of serious care in Austria, was founded on July 23, 1875 with the opening of a geriatric care hospital in Währing. The first facility had 23 beds and was founded by the “Brotherhood of the Most Holy Trinity for the Care of Poor Incurables” under Franz Eipeldauer. From the beginning, the organization played an important role in the medical and nursing care of diseases considered incurable, as wikipedia.de describes in detail.

Over the years, the House of Mercy has opened several locations and today includes seven main locations and 23 other facilities. It looks after around 1,300 residents, including 14 children and young people in the FRIDOLINA children's care home. In addition, the HABIT integration team offers 480 care places for people with multiple disabilities. The services are supported by the Vienna Social Fund and the state of Lower Austria, which ensures comprehensive and high-quality care.

Care concepts and offers

The House of Mercy strives to offer its residents the best possible nursing, therapeutic and medical care. This includes a wide range of therapy offerings, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, psychotherapy, speech therapy, art therapy and animal therapy. Particular emphasis is placed on concepts such as relational care, activating care and kinesthetic approaches. The organization is considered a model for similar facilities and is often referred to as the “birthplace of geriatrics,” which underlines the size and importance of the institution.

For people who want to stay in their own four walls, day care facilities are available that offer care and therapy while also promoting social interaction. This type of care is offered as transitional care after hospital stays or to relieve the burden on caring relatives, as pflege.gv.at explains.

In summary, the House of Mercy is not only an important institution in care and support, but also a place that is deeply rooted in the heart of Viennese society. The postponement of the anniversary celebrations symbolizes the challenges that the nursing sector has to overcome in difficult times and the necessary solidarity and support in the community during these moments of loss and grief.