“Laus Deo!”

“Praise be to God!": First Vows, New Religious Names, Investiture of Cassock

As a nation, we celebrate Thanksgiving in November, a time for every American heart to pause and remember to return thanks to our God for all the blessings He has bestowed on us.

In the very heart of our nation’s capital towers the Washington Monument, an iconic symbol of the United States of America. How appropriate is the phrase that is inscribed at the very top: Laus Deo, “Praise be to God!” This serves as a reminder that all things are received from the provident and loving hands of our Heavenly Father and that to Him alone belongs the praise and the thanks.

For our Province of the Immaculate Conception, November is always packed with special blessings for which we are truly grateful! Below we list some of the more important blessings we received as a province this month.

SSVM First Profession of Vows for 12 Sisters

On November 1, Feast of All Saints, 12 Servidoras professed the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and Marian slavery for the first time.

“To carry out the service of God and his people with greater perfection, we commit ourselves by taking three vows: chastity, for the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 19:12); poverty, sell what you have (Mk 10:21); and obedience, which is better than sacrifice (1 Sm 15:22); in order to follow the Incarnate Word more intimately in his chastity, poverty and obedience…We want to manifest our love and gratitude to the Blessed Virgin by making a fourth vow of slavery to Mary according to Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort – so as to obtain her indispensable help to prolong the Incarnation in all things.” (Constitutions, 6, 17)

14 New Mary’s – novices receive their new religious names

On November 21, 14 novices received their new religious names:

- - Mary Star of Hope
  - María Esposa Castísima de San José (Mary Most Chaste Spouse of St. Joseph)
  - Maria Mater Viventium (Mary Mother of the Living)
  - María Madre Soberana (Mary Sovereign Mother)
  - Mary Dawn of Eternal Light
  - María Madre del Cordero Inmaculado (Mary Mother of the Immaculate Lamb)
  - Mary Humble Daughter of the Most High
  - María Protectora de Dios Encarnado (Mary Protector of God Incarnate)
  - Maria Reparatrix Humani Generis (Mary Restorer of the Human Race)
  - Mary Sacred Altar of God
  - María Niña Santa (Mary Holy Child)
  - María de Caridad Ardiente (Mary of Ardent Charity)
  - Mary Chosen Myrrh
  - Maria Mater Viri Dolorum (Mary Mother of the Man of Sorrows)

It is as if the Lord had said: “Over the Servidoras… I will write the name of my Mother. Because her mission in life radically changes into a consecration totally to Me.”