First Profession of Vows

"Courage, dearest daughter. You are now laid in spirit on the Altar, there to be offered in sacrifice and slain; nay, more, to be consumed as a holocaust in the sight of the living God."
- St. Francis de Sales, Letter to a Novice on the Occasion of her Profession

It was with great communal joy that we witnessed the First Profession of Vows of Sister Philomena Marie on the Feast of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Customarily, the ceremony is a private one, so it was able to proceed in spite of the continuing limitations in social interactions.

Religious consecration, while a deepening of the baptismal consecration, forms a new bond between the soul and Christ. 

The Sister's union with Christ is a union that begins in this life, but reaches its full consummation only in the world to come. In this life, the Sister "plays Heaven", living the poor, chaste, and obedient life that all souls will live in the heavenly union. Holy Mother Church requires that this initial religious consecration be for a specific period of time (our custom is one year). At the same time, She requires that the Sister professing first vows do so with the intention of (God willing) professing them perpetually in due time. She gives her heart and love to Him Who Loved her first, desiring to belong only to Him for eternity.

We invite you to pray for the final perseverance of our dear Sister, Sister Philomena Marie of Our Lady, Mother of the Eternal High Priest, and to pray for her family who have offered such a treasure to Our Lord.

First Profession Slideshow