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Final Profession of Vows 2008: On August 11th, the Feast of Saint Clare, Sister Mary Joseph Watkins of Saint Joseph Professed Final Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the Community of the Sisters of St Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
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–Temporary Professed Sisters–
The morning of St Clare's Feastday, all the Sisters in Temporary Vows join Sr Mary Joseph (middle) for a last Junior Sisters photo. This is the day she will give her life forever to Our Lord as His bride. New to the group are Sr M Lissetta (far lft) and Sr M Veronica (3rd from the rt), who made their first profession on the previous day. |
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Sr Mary Joseph's father with Jim Fitzpatrick, master of ceremonies. |
Sister Mary Joseph's family, including her mother just to her right. |
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God has blessed His Church with many and holy spiritual sheperds to tend his flock. The Sisters were blessed to share the joy of witnessing Sister Mary Joseph's final profession of Vows with the support and prayers of so many of our priests and seminarians. We are especially honored to have had two bishops celebrate Holy Mass, our very own Bishop John Michael D'Arcy and also Bishop Joseph Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Chicago, in whose vicariate the Sisters run and operate St. James Hospital. |
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Bishop D'Arcy gives a beautiful homily in which he elaborates on the beauty and grace of religious life and the responsibility that it entails. |
Throughout the Mass, our Bishop invites Sister Mary Joseph to answer several questions concerning her readiness to profess vows. To all these questions she answers a firm and fervent “yes“! |
After professing her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, Sister Mary Joseph recieves the golden band from Bishop D'Arcy. This ring will serve as the sign of her perpetual consecration. |
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Sister Mary Joseph prepares to pronounce her vows before our Provincial Superior, Sister M Angela, and the entire community. She holds a lighted candle that will be placed on the altar after she makes vows and stay there throughout the remainder of the Mass. |
Sister Mary Joseph receives a final blessing from Bishop D'Arcy. |
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Sister Mary Joseph exits the Chapel wearing her new wedding ring! |
The priests process from the sanctuary after Mass. |
Bishop D'Arcy blesses the faithful as he processed down the isle. |
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At her beautiful reception dinner, Sister Mary Joseph introduces all of her friends and family. |
Bishop Perry offers a few lovely words about Sister Mary Joseph and the commitment she has just undertaken. |
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