The Mass for the Rite of First Religious Profession begins with a beautiful hymn, Veni Sponsa Christi. As the sisters process to their places, the congregation sings:
O come, O spouse of Christ, O come. Accept the crown from his hands prepared for you from all ages.
My heart overflows with noble words. To the King I must speak the song I have made, my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.
Most Reverend David Choby, Bishop of Nashville, incenses the altar during the entrance hymn.
The novices listen as Father Albert Trudell, O.P., offers reflections on a passage from the Gospel of St. John and on the commitment of a young woman who is called to profess the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: Love one another.” —St. John 15:9-17
After the homily, those to be professed stand, and the bishop questions them on their readiness to dedicate themselves to God and to seek perfect charity, according to the rule and constitutions of the religious community. My dear sisters, you are already consecrated to God by water and the Holy Spirit. Are you resolved to be more closely united to God by the new bond of religious profession? I am so resolved. In your desire to follow Christ 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? I am so resolved.
Kneeling beside Mother Ann Marie, Prioress General of St. Cecilia Congregation, each sister reads the formula of profession, which she has written out beforehand. She then signs the document of profession, followed by Mother Ann Marie who has received the sister’s vows.
To the honor of Almighty God and under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of our Holy Father Saint Dominic, I make to God in your hands, Reverend Sister Ann Marie Karlovic, Prioress General, the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for three years according to the Rule of Saint Augustine and the Constitutions of the Dominican Sisters of this Congregation of Saint Cecilia.
P o v e rt y
chastit y
obedience
As the newly professed sisters stand before the bishop, he blesses the black veils they are about to receive as a sign of their profession of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The sisters kneel before the bishop, one at a time, as he addresses each by name and gives her the veil that will be placed upon her head by Mother Ann Marie.
S
ister, receive this veil by which you are to show that you are totally given to Christ the Lord, and dedicated to the service of the Church. May you carry it without stain before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.
After each newly professed sister receives the black veil, Mother Ann Marie, assisted by Sister Anna Grace, Director of Novices, clothes each sister with the veil.
H “
e has placed His sign on my brow that I may admit no other lover.�
G
od our Father, hear the prayers of your people. In your goodness you called these servants of yours to follow Christ in His perfection. Now, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother in the Church, pour out your Holy Spirit upon them, so that the promise they have made here and now, may be confirmed by their unfailing dedication. We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen.
Three of the newly professed sisters prepare to carry the bread and wine to Bishop Choby during the Preparation of the Gifts.
Bishop Choby incenses the bread and wine that will become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Following the prayer after Communion, the newly professed sisters enter the sanctuary, kneel and place their scapulars over their faces as they prostrate themselves so that the bishop might bless the scapulars.
L
ord Jesus Christ, who did not disdain to put on the garment of our mortality, in your great goodness bless these scapulars which our holy Fathers venerated as a sign of innocence and humility, so that those who wear them may merit to put on you, Christ the Lord.
This is the wise virgin whom the Lord found watching who took up
her lamp filled with oil. And when the Lord called to her she entered with Him into the wedding feast.
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Thanks be to God.
Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, Bishop of Joliet, Illinois (left), Most Reverend David Choby, Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee (center), and Most Reverend William Medley, Bishop of Owensboro, Kentucky (right) stand with Mother Ann Marie (upper right) and Sister Anna Grace (upper left) before the Mass for the Rite of First Religious Profession of Vows of the twelve sisters. The sisters to make their first profession of vows: (frontmost row) Sister Anne Elise, Sister Ann Thomas, Sister CaitrĂona, Sister Joanna Marie (second row) Sister Marie Geneviève, Sister Delia Grace, Sister Joanna, Sister Maria Joy (third row) Sister Cora Marie, Sister Mariana Rose, Sister Elena Marie, Sister Mary Eileen
Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia 801 Dominican Drive Nashville, TN 37228
founded 1860
www.nashvilledominican.org