Photos from Sr. Isabel Maria's First Profession!
This past Friday, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, was a day of great rejoicing here at St. Joseph Monastery as our novice, Sr. Isabel Maria of Jesus, My Eucharistic Spouse, professed the five vows of the Passionist Nuns in the hands of Mother Mary Veronica. By these vows, she proclaimed before God and the Church that she wishes to promote devotion to the Passion of Christ and to live in chastity, poverty, obedience, and enclosure for love of Jesus Crucified.
We were joined for the Profession Mass by a strong showing of Sister’s family and friends, many traveling the 4 hours from her hometown of Cincinnati to celebrate with us. Nuns and guests alike were treated to a beautiful choral prelude sung by Sister and her family, all of whom are talented musicians. Our own Bishop Medley served as main celebrant for the Mass, and Fr. Jeff Stegbauer (Archdiocese of Cincinnati) preached an inspiring homily about the connections between Our Lady of Guadalupe and the cloistered Passionist vocation.
Our other Junior Professed nuns, Sr. Miriam Esther and Sr. Bethany Marie, are delighted to have Sr. Isabel Maria join their ranks! We all give thanks to God for Sister’s “yes” and pray for many more young women to follow God’s call to Passionist contemplative life. (A number of discerners joined us for the Profession Mass, in fact!) Please keep Sister in your prayers as she begins this important period of Juniorate, or temporary Profession. During this time she will continue to receive formation, while also taking on more responsibilities in the community. Pray as well for Sister’s wonderful family, who have been a strong support for her vocation and are dearly beloved by all the nuns!
Enjoy a sampling of photos from the big day …
