Profession Of Vows - Sister Mary Imelda Micm

[MICM]

Experience the breathtaking beauty and eternal promise of the ceremony of the Profession of Vows in this video of Sister Mary Imelda's profession as a member of the Sisters, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which took place on September 8th at Saint Benedict Center, Still River MA. 

Watch the video, browse the gallery, and like, share and spread the message of the joy of lives given "to Jesus through Mary!"

 

http://www.saintbenedict.com/index.php/sbc-newsblog/blog/item/1724-bride-of-christ-smi

Edited September 10, 2014 by MICM

[puellapaschalis]

Beautifully done.

[maximillion]

Wow, they go in their bridals for First Profession, that's interesting. Most communities do this for Clothing - if they still do it at all.

[puellapaschalis]

Looking at her hair, I might surmise that they do it for both. Perhaps Sr. MC would know?

[Carla]

Beautiful profession.Meany prayers for her future vocation.

[Sr Mary Catharine OP]

Just for profession. I know of some OSB monasteries in Europe who do it for profession as well. Theologically it makes more sense. In our constitutions each monastery has the option of not giving the habit until profession and a few monasteries do that but we have such a looooong tradition of giving it at "Clothing" (technically it's called the Beginning of the Novitiate) that giving the habit at profession never caught on...I'm happy to say! There is a strong tradition in monastic life for both customs!

 

When I was a little girl the MICM's didn't wear the habit as novices. And they had only just started wearing veils. Postulants wore a sort of jumper. Novices wore a dress and at profession they received the habit. Now, for all practical purposes the novices are wearing the habit but without the ring and medal.

 

None of these customs from Order to Order or even community to community are set in stone. They are always changing a little! We would never give the ring at First Profession and for us the ring is quite new although it IS in our ceremonial book. Since Dominicans are in the monastic tradition the bridal imagery is much more "muted" in the ceremony. It's certainly there but not in the same way as the modern (by modern I mean anything after 1500!) Orders.

Besides we wear our bridal dress everyday! :-)

 

Congrats to Sr. Mary Imelda! It's so good to see the community growing!

[TheresaThoma]

Beautiful!

[Lady-Indis]

She is a wonderful person. Many prayers for her!

[DameAgnes]

I was wondering, this is only the second community I've seen give the ring at first profession (the other being the Passionists). I'm wondering about it. On one hand, it emphasizes that a profession, even one only made for a certain amount of time, is undertaken with the INTENT, or the HOPE that it will be for life. On the other hand, what if, three years into profession, a sister discerns out. Now, you've had the whole wedding thing. I am not sure I get it. 

Then again, on the other hand (told you I was wondering) I wonder if communities that give the ring at first profession have a terrific record of sisters making final profession. Perhaps the declaration of the ring is helpful? 

On the other hand...I wonder what the actual rate of sisters/nuns who make their first profession and then leave is to those who persevere. Some communities seem to lose a lot between first and final vows, others don't. It's all very mystifying to me. 

[inperpetuity]

Congratulations to her, they are a beautiful community of sisters.

[SNJM]

This is perhaps one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever seen! Thank you for sharing!