The Perpetual Monastic Profession of Sister Jill

Our songbook open to the Suscipe
and Sr. Jill's liturgy for profession.

Greetings,

Today, we celebrated the Perpetual Monastic Profession of our Sister Jill!  The day was filled with the blessing of Sisters, family, and friends!  The celebration began the morning prayer of Lauds.  At the close of our Saturday morning prayer, we prayed a blessing for Sister Jill...

O Lord Jesus Christ,
Who called people from their daily work,
Saying to them, 'Come to Me'
Bless Sister Jill who heard your voice
and gladly answered your call
to commit her life to this monastic community. 
Bless her hopes, deal gently with her fears
and bless all of us as we go together to everlasting life.
We pray this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Monastery began to buzz with the joy and energy of the day.  Sisters finished decorating the Chapel for Mass and Chapter room for reception.  Guests, family, and friends began to arrive at the door.  And our Sister glowed with joy as the time of her profession approached.



The Mass of Consecration began with statio (the solemn procession of the whole community) into Chapel with Sister and her parents processing after us, well gliding and grinning from ear to ear, she was so excited.  Sister had chosen readings telling the story of Samuel being called in the Temple and the Apostles being called to follow Jesus...the theme of leaving all behind to follow the call of Christ.  Father Thomas (our Benedictine pastor) picked up on this theme and with humor and tenderness called us all to a closer following of the Call.


• A reminder that it is God's Vocation inviting us and we who answer God's Call
• A reminder that the monastic life is show God's presence in the world with faithfulness
• A reminder that Sister is loved by her sisters and called to love her sisters

The ritual of profession began after the homily; Sister Jill was called to the sanctuary by the Prioress and the chanted refrain by her Benedictine Sisters...

Venite! Come, O sons and daughters of God!
Come and follow Me, I will teach you the way of Life, Venite!


Sister Jill and Prioress
signing the profession
document on the altar.

First the Prioress questioned her intent, then Sister read her document of Perpetual Profession before the whole community and congregation, and both she and the Prioress signed it on the altar.  This ancient part of the ritual concludes with the threefold singing of the Suscipe...which is also sung at the jubilee anniversaries and funerals in our Monastic life.  This is always when I cry, and a fair few Kleenexes came out today; remembering that moment of absolute commitment  in our own lives and receiving the gift of the absolute commitment of Sister's life to our community and in service to the Church.

 

Uphold me, O Lord,
according to your Word, that I may live,
and let me not be disappointed in the hope I cherish. 

Glory be to the Father...



The Sister kneels or prostrates herself before the altar as the community
chants the Litany of the Saints to intercede for her.

Next, the cantor sisters lead us in the Litany of Saints over Sister.  In recent years, the sisters get to include the names of those sisters or family who have died as part of the Litany...Sister Jill called upon her grandparents to pray for her on this special day.  Finally, she received the ring marking the Perpetually Professed sisters in our community.  The Greek initials of Christ in the center with the cross and nails and the palm fronds from Passion Sunday on either side of the ring.

  

A close up of our profession ring.

What comes next?  The celebration simply moved from Chapel to Chapter room for the reception.  Family, friends, and Sisters alike gathered around tables to visit over a simple meal and desert.  Sisters chatted with monks and sisters from visiting communities, nieces and nephews giggled and chased around the tables, and family and friends told stories.  Sister Jill moved from table to table amidst it all; greeting folk, receiving hugs, and laughing with us all.  It was a wonderful gathering of Benedictine and extended Family
...a great blessing to be shared.

Blessings,