Sister Francesca Makes First Profession

 When a Poor Clare Sister is invested with the Holy Habit, she also receives a new name, title and “mark”.  This last is a religious symbol that is often linked to her name or title and serves as her identification mark for the items given to her for her exclusive use.  One of the first challenges facing a new novice is “to mark” all her clothes using blue embroidery thread so that they will return to her after the community washday!

On the joyous occasion of her First Profession of Vows, the Sister’s mark is usually on display, being a feature of the festive decorations throughout the monastery.  Our Sister Mary Francesca of the Precious Blood, who pronounced her first vows as a Poor Clare last week, has for her mark the chalice.  Here is a picture of her "refectory board", newly wood burned.  Each Sister has such a board at her place at table.

And a chalice-shaped vase held the bouquet of white and wine colored carnations at the foot of the altar in our chapel.  

Our Bishop Knestout was able to come for the celebration of the ceremony along with two priests who regularly serve our community Mass and a few of our friends.  Everything had to be kept simple because of the pandemic restrictions, but nothing could restrict our Franciscan joy.  Sister Francesca is now a radiant bride, having exchanged the white veil of a novice for the black veil of the professed.  

Here are a few more pictures from the ceremony:

Entrance Procession
Mother Abbess Therese, Sister Francesca, Sister Margaret Mary (novice mistress)

Pronouncing her Vows
Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Enclosure

Receiving the Black Veil

Signing the Profession Document