Click on any image to enlarge.
Part II is here.
Part III is here.
Part IV is here.
Posted on 05/16/2010 11:14:06 AM PDT by markomalley
Thanks again to Kansas Catholic for another wonderful collection of photographs, this time of the Perpetual Profession of Vows of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. This took place yesterday (5/15) with Bishop Finn at Old St. Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, MO.
A story is told that when the Prioress approached Bishop Finn a few years ago and asked if the order could relocate here from Pennsylvania, he asked her what their charism was. Mother Prioress replied, “We pray for vocations.” Bishop Finn is said to have replied, “When can you start?” Note the row of fresh seminarians on the front row in the top photograph.g in the darkness”.
Not only is this a wonderful Order, but I want to acknowledge the effort of Kansas Catholic to bring these photos to us so quickly. A lot of driving, a lot of running around in the rain and likely hours of uploading after wards. Thanks again. Please check the photos out here. And please support the Benedictines of Mary, here.
Really, really wonderful photos. Thank you.
Thank you.
Wonderful pictures.
Mark,
these are wonderful. Thank you, again.
Ah, the beauty and majesty of service to our Lord and His sheep.
Thank you.
The resurgence of humble service by women in the role of a religious is profoundly welcome.
There is growth in many orders throughout this country, especially those that forego the liberal feminism that once sought the destruction of consecration to prayer, poverty and service.
For us non-Catholics, can we get the 30 second explanation of what this is about?
Final vows for this group of nuns.
:P I gathered that from the title.
:)
These sisters (or nuns) took their final vows to be members of the Order which seems to be Benedictine after St. Benedict. This means that their education in the convent is complete and they take a vow, not unlike marriage, to live their lives as poor servants. Sisters are initiated into orders sort of in stages depending on the order and this is the last stage. What I found interesting was as the sisters were lying in supplication, the black cloth that was covering them. I see deaconate and priesthood ordinations every year and they do this, but in the white garment that I think is an alb as the Litany of Saints is prayed. It's unbelievably powerful to see men lying in supplication (face down).
God Bless them, not everyone is called to the religious life.
What wonderful photos! The sheer joy on their faces is something to behold. Thank you so much!
I may be wrong, but I think that the white veil is an indication that the nun is a novice, and with the final vows the dark veil is substituted/awarded.
Thank you
Actually, in looking again at the photos, I think I am wrong.
The white veil may be a step past novice. It all depends. A girl from my parish went into the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George last year and when we saw her in the fall, she wasn’t wearing a veil yet. I don’t know that she was considered a novice at that point. It all depends on the order. The Carmelites I’ve seen have a lighter color for novices.
You are quite welcome.
Think of it as a wedding ceremony. The sisters are essentially marrying Christ so the ceremony is somewhat similar - in some elements - to ancient Christian wedding ceremonies.
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