The Journal of the Mercy Association in Scripture and Theology

Sr. Anna Nicholls, RSM: “The Iconic Status of Catherine McAuley”

The lecture by Sr. Anna Nicholls, “The Iconic Status of Catherine McAuley,” was originally presented at the June 2025 MAST gathering. In the presentation, Nicholls examines the various images of Catherine McAuley that have emerged over time, exploring both their meaning and impact on the Mercy mission. She also asks what those images have done for the Mercy mission.

The MAST Journal boat

Print or Save as PDF

About the Author

  • Anna Nicholls, RSM (New Zealand), is a PhD student at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Studies of Religion. She obtained a BSc, GradDipTheol and MTheol from the University of Auckland, as well as a MEd (Leadership) from the Australian Catholic University.

    All Posts

Subscribe

Name

Support

Donate Now

Articles from our archives

The Prophetic Life and Work of Catherine McAuley and the First Sisters of Mercy
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
A Plea to Lament
Mary-Paula Cancienne, RSM
Mama icon by Kelly Latimore (2020)
Mary, the Feminine Face of God
Aline Paris, RSM
Reading the Instrumentum Laboris Through the Lens of Mercy
Doris Gottemoeller, RSM
A spoon stirring ingredients including egg and flour in a yellow bowl
Reflections for Gathering Mass in Burlingame | October 15, 2023
Katherine Doyle, RSM
Thousands of faithful will participate in the 50th pilgrimage to Luján. Photo: Archives of Canal26
Prayer of Our Lady | Oración de La Virgen
Institute Prayer and Ritual Committee
Leading with Courage: Catherine McAuley’s Understanding
Anna Nicholls, RSM
Catherine McAuley’s Methods of Leadership Development
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
From Lamentation to Liberation: The Hiding and the Finding of the Baby Moses (Exodus 1:1-2:10)
Zac Karanovich
Mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe across from the San Ysleta Mission in El Paso
Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Liberation or Oppression for Latina Women?
Luz Eugenia Álvarez, RSM
Bibliography of Mary C. Sullivan, RSM 
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
What Affected and Challenged Me Most from the Diocesan Summaries
Elizabeth Julian, RSM
Breathe in the Breath of God
Zac Karanovich
Synod Conversations in Chicago, Illinois, March-April 2022
Avis Clendenen
A Vision for a New Church
Sharon Kerrigan, RSM
Lamentation: The First Language of the Heart
Zac Karanovich
Women’s Group Lunch Discussion San Jose and South Bay Area
Eloise Rosenblatt, RSM
Comforting and Animating: The Generative Work of Catherine McAuley
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
Spiritual Direction in Troubled Times
Fran Repka, RSM
Statue in the church of Saint Mary in Canterbury, Kent
Reflections on Original Grace: The Mystery of Mary
Maryanne Stevens, RSM
Mary Sullivan with Anna Leah Bowman who received an award
Sister Mary Sullivan, RSM, Sister of Mercy and Scholar
Doris Gottemoeller, RSM
Living Our Laments
Avis Clendenen
Memoirs of Lament
Julia Upton, RSM
Catherine McAuley and the Care of the Sick
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
Sacred Heart of Jesus Synodal Listening Session Responses, San Jose, California
James Marshall
Poem: We Rise
Audrey Synnott, RSM
Job, the Patient One?
Aline Paris, RSM
Photo of a statue of Mary by @gonzalesroman
Who Is Mary For Contemporary Christians?
Sharon Kerrigan, RSM
Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter
Barbara Moore, RSM
Funeral Reflections for Lorita Moffatt | April 10, 2024
Mary Janet Rozzano, RSM
Refreshing Our Morning and Evening Prayer
Doris Gottemoeller, RSM
Welcoming the Stranger: The Kenosis of Catherine McAuley
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
The choir at the profession of temporary vows ceremony of Boreta Singleton, RSM, on March 1, 2025, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Watchung, New Jersey
Oh, With What Joy
Boreta A. Singleton, RSM
The Prayers of Catherine McAuley 
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
The Spirit’s Fire and Catherine’s Passion
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
A Meditation on the Symbolic Utterance of Sisters of Mercy
Mary C. Sullivan, RSM
My Argument with Thomas Merton: A Macaronic Letter
Julia Upton, RSM
Synod’s Process of Pete’s Pals—Redwood City, California
Eloise Rosenblatt, RSM
Thin Places: A Hope for the Christian Community
Sharon Kerrigan, RSM
Maryknoll Evolutionary Consciousness Community Synodal Report
Charlotte Tomaino
Visit the Archives

Subscribe

Name