Emma to Make Her Perpetual Profession as a Sister of Mercy
October 29, 2025
In a few weeks’ time, Sister Emma Llewellyn will make her perpetual profession as a Sister of Mercy, a day she has anticipating not just for the past 10 years since she entered the Institute, but in many ways for most of her life.
“I am certainly feeling excited and I am anticipating the ‘big day’ as we have been calling it. It is a bit like preparing for a wedding and all that goes with it such as invitations and preparing the liturgy,” said Emma.
“Archbishop Peter Comensoli is the principal celebrant. He tells me that he is also excited as this is the first perpetual profession that he has done!”
The Liturgy
Emma says the liturgy for the perpetual profession is rich in symbolism.
“One of these symbols is the profession candle which will be lit from the paschal candle, which connects us to our baptism. The liturgy is being held at St Monica’s Moonee Ponds, which is where I was baptised so making my perpetual profession there is particularly special for me.
“Another symbol is the profession ring. At our first profession we receive the Mercy Cross. At the perpetual profession, we receive a ring which we wear on our wedding band finger. It is a further symbol and sign of our commitment. As part of our Mercy tradition, each sister chooses a motto which is then engraved on the inside of the ring.”
With all your heart, soul, strength and mind
After much discernment, Emma has chosen the motto, With all your heart, soul, strength and mind. It comes from Luke’s Gospel (10:27), just before Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
“It is an invitation from God to love God and to love as God loves, without counting the cost. This love requires one’s whole being and doing: heart, soul, strength and mind.
“This will be my anchor for my perpetual commitment as a Sister of Mercy, which I hope and pray will hold me, sustain me and keep me grounded in all that I am and all that I do.”
Emma is grateful to Sister Marg Smith, from Brisbane who has created a visual representation of her motto.
“Marg has been one of many sisters who has been supporting me on my Mercy journey and she created this symbol based on my motto. I love how Marg has captured my motto through nature. This symbol features a cross intertwined with a heart, which forms a large wave and is connected to other waves, representing the depths of the ocean and depths of one’s own heart.
“With all your heart, soul, strength and mind is represented by the one large wave, in relationship with Jesus (the cross) and with you and others (the rest of the ocean), with its peaks and troughs. I also love the soft purple, blue and green colour hues of the waves, which are representative of the ups and downs of our life journey and the circle of life.”
Although this time in the lead up to the ‘big day’ is somewhat hectic for Emma, she is ensuring that she is making time for prayer.
“Prayer is a constant in my life and it is what sustains me. I am very grateful to the many sisters, family, friends and people whom I have never met who are praying for me as I prepare for my perpetual profession. While I am looking forward to it, I am mindful that perpetual profession is not the end, but it is merely the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”
Watch the Livestream
Emma’s perpetual profession will be taking place on Saturday, 22 November at 11am AEDT.
The livestream can be viewed on the ISMAPNG YouTube Channel at
https://www.youtube.com/live/fZrJm-4x0p8?si=2O6_uoc67-itF1zn
If the YouTube link is not working, please try this alternate link – https://evt.live/emma-llewellyn-perpetual-profession
Read more about Emma’s Journey
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/emma-llewellyn-at-home-with-the-sisters-of-mercy
https://melbournecatholic.org/news/shining-lamps-a-graduating-students-valedictory-message
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