Catherine McAuley designed the original Mercy Cross which was an ebony cross with an ivory insert. It was attached to a large rosary hanging from the belt of the Sisters of Mercy.

The Mercy Cross that we see today, still has a white cross in the middle of a dark coloured cross.

Catherine chose the cross to be the symbol of the Sisters of Mercy because of her deep love for the crucified Jesus. You may have notice that the Cross does not actually have the crucified Jesus on the Cross. This is because Catherine believed that each Sister of Mercy places herself on the Cross herself upon the cross in union with Jesus. Sisters of Mercy all around the world wear this cross so we can recognise who they are.