Sr. Mary Mercy (Robyn Lee ’02), a Christendom College alumna and member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, proclaimed the first reading at the first Mass of Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, May 9. Serving at the Vatican since late 2024, Sr. Mary Mercy was asked to read during this historic Mass just months after professing her perpetual vows.
Thousands around the world tuned in to witness Pope Leo XIV celebrate his first Mass as pope, marking a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church. After processing into the Sistine Chapel with the College of Cardinals and beginning the liturgy, Pope Leo XIV sat to hear the first reading. Sr. Mary Mercy then approached the ambo to proclaim from the Book of Revelation — a moment of profound significance not only for the universal Church, but also for Christendom College.
Since graduating from Christendom in 2002, Sr. Mary Mercy has served the Church in numerous communications roles. She worked as managing editor of Catholic Digest, as marketing coordinator for the National Catholic Register, and as editor of the CatholicMatch Institute’s blog Faith, Hope, & Love, where she offered dating advice to single Catholics.
While working for CatholicMatch, she discerned a call not to married life, but to religious life. She entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 2016 and professed her perpetual vows on Trinity Sunday in May 2024. Later that year, she was assigned to serve at the Vatican. Sr. Mary Mercy has served the papacy already in the past, including reading the late Pope Francis’ message and blessing to English-speaking pilgrims during his General Audience last October.
Christendom joined the universal Church in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, with students rejoicing both in St. Peter’s Square and on the college’s Front Royal, Virginia campus.
“At Christendom College, where our mission is to ‘restore all things in Christ,’ we pledge our filial devotion and earnest prayers for our new Holy Father,” said College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. “May his reign be marked by truth, renewal, and a deeper turning of hearts to the Kingship of Christ.”’
Please join the entire Christendom community in praying for Pope Leo XIV and his papacy.
Sancte Petre, ora pro nobis. Sancte Leone Magne, ora pro nobis.
Watch Sr. Mary Mercy reading at Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass below:
