Photos from Sr. Miriam Esther's Perpetual Profession!

As promised, here is the Great Big Photo Post from the Perpetual Profession Mass of our Sr. Miriam Esther last Friday. Enjoy!

Introductory rites; liturgy of the word

Our Lady and St. Paul of the Cross watch over the profession insignia

Our Sister Sacristans did a great job decking out the sanctuary!

The bride in prayer before Mass

Sr. Miriam Esther’s blood-sister, Zoe (center in photo) joined our Sister instrumentalists for a special prelude: O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen (a piece that has special significance for Sister’s family)

The chapel is filling up …

Entrance procession; hymn - “What Wondrous Love is This?”

Sr. Isabel Maria proclaimed the first reading from 1 Kings 19 - the story of Elijah under the broom tree and God’s revelation to him in the “tiny whispering sound”

Sr. John Mary read from 1 Corinthians 1 - “we preach Christ Crucified!”

Deacon Bill Klump (from Sr. Miriam Esther’s home parish in Louisville) proclaimed the Gospel from Matthew - “You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned … learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart …”

Fr. Will Thompson, a priest of our Diocese and one of the monastery confessors, gave an excellent homily on the Passionist vocation and the meaning of perpetual vows.

Profession Rite

Bishop Medley conducts the ritual examination before perpetual profession, asking Sister to declare her firm intention to follow the Passionist way of life until death

In one of the most striking moments of the rite of perpetual profession, Sister falls prostrate before the altar and is covered with a black funeral pall, symbolizing her death to self through her vows.

Sister lies beneath the pall while the Litany of the Saints is sung

Then, she “rises with Christ” to profess her vows FOR LIFE in the hands of Mother Mary Veronica!

Sister signs her Profession formula on the altar, where it remains for the rest of Mass to symbolize the union of her self-offering with the Sacrifice of Christ

Another unique part of perpetual professions is the Solemn Consecration: a long and beautiful prayer in which the celebrant formally sets aside the newly-professed for the service of Christ and the Church

Receiving the Cross …

… and the crown of thorns, to signify her union with Jesus Crucified

We didn’t get a photo of the moment Sister received her wedding ring … but if you look closely you can see it on her left hand in this photo :)

Sister then exchanges the Sign of Peace with the celebrants, the Sisters, and her family. We just include a few highlights …

Here, our chaplain Fr. Lou offers Sister the Sign of Peace.

With Sr. John Mary, who was the vocation directress when Sr. Miriam Esther first contacted us … and the Superior who gave her the habit and received her first vows

With Saliya, our newest aspirant

Check out that smile on Sr. Isabel Maria’s face!

With Sr. Mary Elizabeth, our eldest community member and longest-professed

A sister hug with Zoe!

With Dad, Chris

With Mom, Carol

With sister #2, Ingrid

With Grandpa Bob, who came all the way from Mississippi as a surprise!

Liturgy of the Eucharist; concluding rites

The offertory procession - Sister is joined by Mother Mary Veronica, her parents Chris and Carol, and her godparents Kent and Linda

Presenting the gifts to Bishop Medley; and symbolically, presenting Sister’s gift of self (and her family’s gift of her!) to the Lord!

Oblate Dwayne really knows how to lay on the frankincense!!

Through Him, with Him, and in Him …

Recessional hymn: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

A light-hearted moment with the Bishop after Mass

A Bride of Christ for life!