At Long Last: Photos from the Perpetual Profession of Sr. Cecilia Maria, CP

January 5, 2019 marked the culmination of nine longs years of formation for Sr. Cecilia Maria, CP as she finally knelt before the altar and professed the five Passionist Vows perpetually! It was a day of great joy and many graces, and we continue to praise and thank the Lord for His fidelity to Sister through these years of preparation, and for the great gift of her Fiat in response to His call. Friends and family traveled from literally all over the country to be with us in celebration - many are pictured below, and many more friends with their families were also present. We extend our special gratitude to: Fr. David Wilton, CPM who presided at the Mass; Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, OP, who was a spectacular guest organist/choir director and moving homilist; Christine Wilkinson Beckman, for the beautiful violin preludes and hymn accompaniment; Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv, master of ceremonies; Larena Lawson, photographer; and all the Passionist Oblates who prepared the reception refreshments. To each of you, and all who participated in this moment of grace by their presence and prayer, a big “Thank You!” Now, without further ado, enjoy some slideshows with highlights from the big day!

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Before the Mass

Panorama of the Chapel before Mass

Fr. Andy Cravalho, CPM; Fr. Joel Rogers, CPM; Fr. Lou Caporiccio, CPM; Friar. Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv.; Samuel Wenke; Fr. David Colhour, CP; Fr. John Shork, CP; Fr. David Wilton, CPM; Fr. Victor Moratin, CPM; Fr. Tony Stevens, CPM

Br. Justin Pybus, CPM assisted with seating guests in Chapel for the Mass.

Christine Wilkinson Beckman (St. Olaf College classmate of Sr. Cecilia Maria) treated us to beautiful Baroque violin preludes.

Entrance & Liturgy of the Word

Entrance Procession

Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, OP, served as homilist and organist - he was a St. Olaf College classmate of Sr. Cecilia Maria

Fr. David Wilton, CPM presided, Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. (brother of our Sr. Frances Marie) assisted as Master of Ceremonies.

1st Reading: Song of Songs 2:10-14

Sr. Maria Faustina

"My Soul is Thirsting for You, O God My God"

Mother John Mary, Sr. Maria Faustina, and Sr. Cecilia Maria singing the responsorial psalm

2nd Reading: Philippians 3:8-14

Sr. Frances Marie

Gospel: John 17:20-26

Fr. John Shork, CP incensing the holy Gospel

Fr. Vincent Ferrer Bagan, OP, delivers the homily - click here to read it!

Sr. Cecilia Maria’s parents, Tim & Jane, and sister, Whitney

Sr. Cecilia Maria’s Aunt Alice and Grandma Nita

Rite of Profession

Sister Cecilia Maria prepares to lie prostrate beneath a black pall, symbolizing her death to worldliness

While she lies before the altar, the nuns and guests join in singing the Litany of the Saints, invoking their aid for Sister Cecilia Maria as she prepares for her perpetual consecration to Christ.

Sr. Cecilia Maria rises from beneath the pall and kneels to profess her perpetual vows, binding herself to her Crucified Spouse forever.

Sr. Cecilia Maria signs the profession formula which remains on the altar for the rest of the Mass, signifying her oblation of self in union with Jesus’ Eucharistic Sacrifice.

Fr. David Wilton, CPM, prays the solemn consecration over Sr. Cecilia Maria.

Sr. Cecilia Maria kneels to receive the Solemn Consecration prayed over her by the presider, Fr. David Wilton, CPM

Sister receives the cross and crown of a bride of Jesus Crucified.

Sister exchanges the Sign of Peace with the Celebrants (con-celebrant Fr. John Shork, CP is pictured), her family, and her Passionist sisters

Sr. Mary Veronica, Novice Mistress and Juniorate Directress, exchanges the sign of peace with her spiritual daughter

A father’s embrace - Sr. Cecilia Maria and her dad, Tim, exchange a sign of peace.

Sr. Mary Veronica, Sr. Cecilia Maria, and her parents, Tim & Jane, bring the gifts to the altar in the offertory procession

Offertory Antiphon

Patiently I waited for the Lord, and He has looked upon me: He heard my cry, and He put into my mouth a new song, a hymn to our God.

jubilation!

Fr. David Wilton, CPM, Mother John Mary, and Sr. Cecilia Maria after the Mass

Sr. Cecilia Maria with some of her family: twin cousins Emily & Rachel; Jane (mom), Grandma Nita, Aunt Alice, and Tim (dad).

Sr. Maria Faustina, Mother John Mary, and Bridget Adams in the parlor - Bridget is a friend of Sr. Cecilia Maria from her days at Assumption parish in Bellingham, WA

Sr. Cecilia Maria with her sister, Whitney

Grandma Nita, Sr. Cecilia Maria, and Aunt Alice

Mother John Mary and Sr. Cecilia Maria with Sandra & Ron Bickers, friends of the community who trekked out from Texas for Sister’s profession!

Br. John Monzyk, CP with Mother John Mary and Sr. Cecilia Maria

Sr. Cecilia Maria with Friar Emmanuel (brother of our Sr. Frances Marie and MC at the Profession Mass)

Sr. Cecilia Maria with Fr. Vincent Ferrer, her long-time friend and our guest homilist/organist at the Profession Mass

An Ole Reunion - Dr. Jim May, Alan Stout, Christine Wilkinson Beckman, Sr. Cecilia Maria, Fr. Vincent Ferrer, Mary Shaffer, Noreen Sedgeman, and Nick & Erika Nelson

Thanks to Larena Lawson, Abram Wenke, and Bridget Adams for these photos!