Are You Nervous Yet?

On December 27, the feast of St. John the Beloved, Sr. Claudia Marie of Our Mother of Mercy and Sr. Mary Perpetua of Our Mother of the Incarnate Word made their First Profession of Vows. Vows are so special to the whole Community; those who are professed renew their dedication, while those who remain in the novitiate look to what lies ahead. We pray for our newly professed Sisters that "the Lord who has begun this good work in them, bring it to fulfillment."

"Are You Nervous Yet?"

Written by a Novice on the eve of her Vows in response to a question
​asked by her Novice Mistress, "Are you nervous yet?"

​I’m nervous like a rose about to bloom.
​
​As my tender roots sought blindly in the earth for water to give me life
I was nervous.

As my little stem poked above the ground on a cloudy day, searching for sunlight
I was nervous.
As my leaves yellowed and bore dark spots of sickness
I was nervous.
As I was pruned at the hand of the Gardener
I was nervous.
As my first buds began to grow and the frost crept close
I was nervous.
All my little life, I’ve been nervous.

Today, I will enter into the task for which I was made.
My roots are firm, my stem strong, my leaves (continuously) healed.
Today, my pruned branches stretch with longing, and the season of frost has passed. 
Today, the little buds have grown and they tremble to burst forth for the Gardener’s Good Pleasure. 
​
What does a flower have to fear when the Gardener holds her blooms so dear?

Today, I bloom for joy, not nerves, because Love is to be my Spouse this day.

First Profession Slideshow

Our Lady, Queen of Religious Life, Ora Pro Nobis!