Profession Preparations

Sister Mary Angelique

 “Alleluia!”  The Lord is King, our God, the Almighty!  Let us rejoice and be glad, and give him glory!  For this is the wedding day of the Lamb; his bride has prepared herself for the wedding…

The Word of God is always “living and active”, yet sometimes it is more obviously so!  The above quotation from the Book of Revelation just happened to be part of our midnight prayer of Matins last night.  Our novice, Sister Mary Angelique, begins her retreat today in preparation for Saturday, when she will make her First Profession of Vows as a Poor Clare Nun. 

The rest of us are preparing too. 

Professed Sister's Veil and Cord

At her Profession ceremony, which takes place after the homily at Holy Mass, Sister Angelique will be given the black veil of a professed Nun.  Until now, she has been wearing the white veil of a novice.  I can report that her veils (she gets three) are sewn, washed, ironed and ready to go!  She will also exchange her novice cord (Franciscans use a cord for a belt) for one that has four knots symbolizing her four Vows of Poverty, Chastity Obedience and Enclosure.  Actually, there is a fifth knot that is totally functional and not the least symbolic.  We call it the “button” and serves to hold the cord together around the waist.  Or, on second thought, perhaps it is most symbolic!  After all, it is love that “binds the rest together and makes them perfect”.

In addition to purely practical preparations like sewing, baking and decorating, we also prepare some entertainment for the great festive day.  So far, Sister Angelique’s novitiate companions have a dance and a pantomime ready.  Two of our musical postulants are here composing a song at the keyboard.  Hope it will be ready in time!  Just one short week to go!

Postulants Sarah and Phoenix