As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall mary you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.— Isaiah 62:5
First Profession and Final Profession of Vows
This month our province has had the joy of welcoming two novices who professed their first temporary vows, and seven sisters who professed their perpetual vows. And in the coming weeks more sisters from our province will make their perpetual vows in the country of their mission.
The Stages of the Profession of Religious Vows
Religious life progresses in stages whereby a young religious commits herself to Jesus Christ through vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. After the very initial formation that takes place in the novitiate, a sister begins her life as a Bride of Christ with temporary vows. In this first temporary profession, she promises to live the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for one year. As she moves through the years of formation, these vows are renewed each year.
Finally, after about 6 or 7 years of these temporary vows, a sister can be admitted to the profession of perpetual vows; she binds herself to live the chastity, poverty and obedience of religious life forever as a Spouse of Jesus Christ. On this joyous occasion she is admitted permanently to the religious family and is given a ring as a sign of her complete commitment and surrender.
Profession of Vows in Our Province
First Vows
On September 8, two novices professed their first temporary vows in Guyana: Sister Mary Beloved Daughter of God the Father and Sister Mary Sea of Grace.
Final Vows
In the days following seven sisters made their perpetual vows in our province.
Sister Maria Madonna dei Poveri is a contemplative sister in the St. Edith Stein Monastery in Brooklyn, NY. She professed her vows on September 12th in the monastery in the presence of her family, friends and sisters and priests of our religious family.
On September 14th, the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross, six sisters professed their final vows in a beautiful Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.
- Sister Mary of Joseph (missionary in Washington, DC)
- Sister Maria Puerta de la Misericordia (missionary in Washington, DC)
- Sister Mary Mother of the Church (contemplative in Germany)
- Sister Mary Guardian of the Child Jesus (missionary in Washington, DC)
- Sister Mary of the Visitation (missionary in Germany)
- Sister Maria Regina Familiae (contemplative in Spain)
Three more sisters from our province will profess their final vows in the countries where they are currently assigned.
- On October 1st Sister Passie van Christus will make her profession in Suriname.
- On November 1st, two contemplative sisters will profess in their monastery in Tuscania, Italy: Sister Mary of Divine Love and Sister Maria Pia Mater.
We ask you to join us in praying for these newly professed Brides of Christ! May the love and grace of the Most Holy Trinity help [them] to be faithful to the work that has already begun. (from the formula for the profession of vows).
Our Lady of Lujan, pray for us!
