Photos from Sr. Maria Faustina's Perpetual Profession

At long last, they’re ready - pictures from Sr. Maria Faustina’s big day on December 8th! We hope you enjoy these images of the glorious liturgy and joyful reception, thanks to the photography skills of our friend Elizabeth Wong Barnstead of the Western KY Catholic.

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Entrance Rites and Liturgy of the Word

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - what a beautiful feast to have for a wedding day with Christ!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Cecilia Maria and (retro) Postulant Holly played beautiful organ and violin preludes: Bach’s “Sleepers Awake” and an arrangement of “Veni Creator Spiritus.”

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

The bride in prayer before Mass begins

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

We had quite a crowd for the Profession - friends and family from near and far!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Preparing for the entrance procession - we were blessed with the presence of Bishop Medley and priests from our own diocese, from the Fathers of Mercy, and from Sr. Maria Faustina’s home diocese.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Bishop Medley incenses the altar

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Mother John Mary and Sr. Miriam Esther, singing the Gregorian chant Gloria from Missa IX

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Maria Faustina requested that her juniorate companions serve as readers for the Mass. And so, the first reading was proclaimed by Sr. Miriam Esther ...

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

… and the second by Sr. Frances Marie.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Our good friend Deacon Bruce Sullivan, reading the Gospel

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

The rite of calling - after the Gospel, Bishop Medley speaks in the name of God and of the Church, formally calling Sr. Maria Faustina to perpetual profession. Sister accepts, and all reply, “THANKS BE TO GOD!”

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Fr. Lou Caporiccio, CPM, our monastery chaplain, gave a beautiful homily about the universal call to holiness and the special vocation of religious.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

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Profession Rite and Liturgy of the Eucharist

Sr. Maria Faustina falls prostrate before the altar, and her Sisters cover her with a black funeral pall to symbolize her death to self, so that she may rise with Christ.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sister’s family, joining in as the Litany of Saints is sung during the prostration.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Frances Marie, who made her own Perpetual Vows last year, praying for her Sister in formation.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Pronouncing the five Passionist vows for life, in the hands of Mother John Mary!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sister signs her vow formula on the altar, where it remained throughout the rest of Mass.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Our Blessed Mother watching as one of her daughters receives the solemn consecration of a perpetually professed religious.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Another perpetual bride of Christ Crucified!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Exchanging the Sign of Peace with Bishop Medley

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

And with her Sisters!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

A beautiful mother-daughter moment for Sr. Maria Faustina and her mom, Sherry.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sister’s grandmother Joan traveled to make a surprise appearance at the Profession Mass! She is accompanied here by Regina, the girlfriend of Sr. Maria Faustina’s brother Shane.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Exchanging the sign of peace with her father, Paul.

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sister’s parents and brothers participated in the Offertory Procession

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Incensing the gifts before the Eucharistic Prayer begins

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

“This is My Body, which will be given up for you.”

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

The Bridegroom comes to meet His Bride in Holy Communion

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Bishop Medley gives the closing blessing

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

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Reception

Bishop Medley with the radiant newly-Professed Sister!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sister’s family - L-R: Shane (brother), Paul (father), Sr. Maria Faustina, Sherry (mother) and Paul (brother)

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

We had to get a picture with Grandma too!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

The receiving line after Mass seemed to stretch for miles!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Maria Faustina greeting guests in the parlor

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Babies are always the most popular visitors!

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Cecilia Maria greets some young guests

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

Sr. Frances Marie chats with Sr. Cecilia Maria’s mother, Jane, who flew in from the West Coast for the occasion

(Photo: Elizabeth Wong Barnstead, Western KY Catholic)

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As we continue to rejoice in the forever-consecration of another one of our Sisters, we wanted to share with you a little update on our postulants, Kristin Marie and Emma. After a graced experience here, they have both come to see that God is not calling them to continue discernment with us at this time. We will miss them, but we are happy to be a part of their vocational journey and still very much consider them our sisters in Christ. Please keep these wonderful young women in your prayers as they take the next steps in seeking God’s will for their lives!