On Saturday, January 14, six novices took their next step in the always-evolving journey of living a consecrated life.
Pictured above, from left, are Sisters Shimti Mukhim, India, Rita Boakyewaa Konadu Ghana, Supty Mrong, Bangladesh, Anuaritah Patience Masika, Uganda, Dantilang Mynsong, India, and Linda Suurbeta Bonye, Ghana, who made their initial profession of vows at a celebration in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana. Father Tom Bertone, CSC, presided at the liturgy. Sister M. Veronique (Wiedower), president of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, received their vows.
Please join us in sending blessings to these young women.
The six sisters stand during their initial profession ceremony while International Novitiate Director Sister Evelyn Ntiamoah, CSC, reads aloud.
After the ceremony, seated from left, newly professed Sisters Dantilang Mynsong, Anuaritah Patience Masika, Shimti Mukhim, Linda Suurbeta Bonye, Supty Mrong and Rita Boakyewaa Konadu; standing, International Novitiate staff Sisters Patricia Rodríguez Leal, Semaria Tongpiar, Nobina Rangsa Marak and Evelyn Ntiamoah, director.
What is initial profession?
Initial profession is a milestone, for it is the turning in her journey where a sister takes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It is also a time of joy. The ceremony itself is celebratory with rituals and symbolism signifying a sister’s commitment to God to give her life fully over to the higher purpose of where God is calling her.
“Each piece of the process is part of the journey.”
— Sister Helene Sharp, CSC, vocation coordinator
By the time a woman has professed initial vows, she has spent three or more years in discernment. Through this formation program — which is grounded in psychology, sociology and spirituality — she has been provided with enough information, life experience, counseling and spiritual direction for her to make the decision to proceed. She has lived in community with sisters, taken a multitude of classes in Church teachings, theology and Congregation history, participated in ministries serving people in need, and continued growing in her human and spiritual development.
After initial profession
Once she is initially professed, a sister is assigned to a ministry in her home country. She continues learning to discern and hear the voice of God in her life. Over time, a period of the coming five to seven years, she will discern the next evolvement of her consecrated life — professing perpetual vows.
“Each piece of the process is part of the journey,” said Sister Helene Sharp, vocation coordinator. “We’re never ‘there’ but if we have a deep prayer life then we are helped in confirming that ‘this is where I’m being called.’ And that’s the whole purpose of formation.”
