On May 6, the birthday of our foundress, we had the joy of witnessing the First Profession of Sister Debra Marie, originally from upstate New York. Here are some of the highlights of the beautiful Mass and ceremony. The photo below shows her with Mother Maria Catherine, in the entrance procession.
Sister publicly asks to profess her vows, and then the priest celebrant asks several questions of Sister. This is the first question: “…You are already consecrated to God by water and the Holy Spirit. Are you now resolved to be more closely united to God by the new bond of religious profession?”
Sister responds: “I am so resolved.”
After the questions, Sister kneels in front of the altar and pronounces her vows.
“Called by the Holy Spirit to a greater perfection of love, in union with Jesus, I desire to give myself totally to God in this Congregation.
For the honor of Almighty God, and under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our holy patron St. Joseph,
I, Sister Debra Marie Comins, before you Mother Maria Catherine Iannotti, our General Superior, vow until May 31, 2024, to live the Gospel counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience, according to the Constitutions of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, and I promise, with God’s grace, to observe them faithfully.
After our General Superior accepts her vows, the priest blesses the black veil and our medallion of the Immaculate Conception and gives them to Sister.
“Receive this veil, now blessed by God, and wear it as a sign of your undivided love for the Lord.”
“Receive this emblem of the Immaculate Conception as the pledge of your consecration to that glorious patroness of your Congregation, and merit her protection by imitating her virtues.”
As the Liturgy of the Eucharist continues, Sister Debra Marie, now in her black veil, along with her Novice Director Sr. Mary Beata, brings the gifts to the altar.
Here’s Sister Debra Marie, now a Junior Professed Sister, with the rest of the USA Juniorate and our General Superior.
Left to right: Sr. Mylene Rosemarie, the Juniorate Director, Sr. Marie Meaghan, Sr. Debra Marie, Sr. Alina Marie, Sr. Rebecca Miriam, and Mother Maria Catherine, our General Superior.
The day was one of much joy, and her family members were there to rejoice with her. Here she is with her mom.
May God grant Sr. Debra Marie many happy, holy years as a Parish Visitor of Mary Immaculate.
And, may God bless and guide you, so that you may have the grace to know His will for your life, and that you will follow it!
In Jesus,
Sister Dolores Marie