In Imitation of Jesus Christ

"Lord, look upon these religious who wish to imitate Your Son more closely by professing the evangelical counsels in the presence of Your Church today. Mercifully grant that their manner of life may bring glory to Your name and further Your loving plan of redemption."

"What do you ask of God and of His holy Church?"

​"My dear Sisters,
by water and the Holy Spirit you have already been consecrated ​to God's service.
Are you resolved to be more closely united to God by the bond of religious profession?
In your desire to follow Christ more perfectly, are you resolved to live in
chastity as a sign of the kingdom of Heaven,
to practice voluntary poverty,
​and to offer the sacrifice of obedience?"

"May almighty God grant you His grace to fulfill your resolutions"

​Bearing a lighted candle blessed on the feast of the Presentation, the novice approaches the altar. Kneeling before the Mother Superior, she vows  to give herself to Almighty God, seeking perfect charity in His service by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The blessed candle is a symbol of the life of the consecrated woman in that as it gives light at the cost of its very substance for the benefit of others, she is wholly consumed by charity in God's service.

​After the newly professed Sister signs her vows before her Eucharist Spouse on the altar, the Bishop blesses the emblems of profession and presents them to the Sister.

"...May this veil be an emblem
​of lowliness of heart and separation from the world..."

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​"Receive this veil which proclaims that you belong entirely to Christ the Lord in the service of the Church. In imitation of your immaculate Mother Mary may you be an image of the Church: wholly given in humility of heart to Christ who is loved above all others."

​After the blessing, the Mother Superior, assisted by the Mistress of Novices, changes the white veil of a novice for the Marian blue veil of the professed and crowns the Sisters with a delicate crown of white and red roses.  The white roses represent the Sister's total gift of self while the red represent her willingness to shed her blood for her Spouse.

Please join us in praying for our newly professed Sisters! We beg Almighty God to grant them the grace of final perseverance and a crown of glory hereafter!
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First Profession of Vows
First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2016

Sister Mary Vianney of Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy, MSSR
Sister Caritas Marie of Mary, Mother of God, MSSR

Celebrant: The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of Santa Rosa
Assisted by Father Moses Brown

Picture Gallery