Photos from Sr. Bethany Marie's First Profession!

May 31st was a day to be remembered - a day of joy, thanksgiving, and abundant graces, and, in the words of Sr. Bethany Marie, “The best day of my life!”

Our chapel was filled nearly to overflowing with friends and family who came to share in the joy of our Sr. Bethany Marie of the Glorious Wounds of Christ, as she made her first vows and was consecrated as a Bride of the Crucified. We are so grateful to God for the gift of Sister’s vocation, and of her “yes” to the Bridegroom’s call.

We could go on and on talking about the graces of the day - but pictures are worth a thousand words, so we’ll save you a bit of reading and show you the Profession Mass instead!

(all photos courtesy of Riley Greif, Diocese of Owensboro)

INTRODUCTORY RITES AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

The cross and crown of thorns are ready for a new Bride of Jesus Crucified

In prayer before the beginning of Mass

Sr. Isabel Maria (violin) and Sr. Cecilia Maria (organ) played a beautiful arrangement of “Veni Creator Spiritus” as a prayerful prelude

It was a full house - even with extra seating added at the back!

Fr. Matthew Millay (priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville and a friend of Sr. Bethany Marie) was the main celebrant for the Mass of Religious Profession.

Here he incenses the altar during the Entrance Hymn: “My Soul Rejoices.”

Sister Bethany Marie’s smile was infectious!

L-R: Fr. Ken Geraci CPM, Fr. Matthew Millay, Fr. Mike Williams

L-R: Fr. Mike Clark, Fr. Jamie Dennis, Fr. Jerry Riney

The Collect (opening prayer)

Sr. Isabel Maria, our younger novice, proclaimed the First Reading from the Song of Songs

The cantors singing the Responsorial Psalm (63): “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God!”

Sr. Bethany Marie’s best friend Katrina Laws read the Second Reading from the letter to the Philippians

Fr. Mike Williams (who was chaplain at Gasper River Retreat Center while Sister worked there) proclaimed the Gospel from John 17

PROFESSION RITE

The calling - in the name of God and of the Church, the celebrant formally calls Sr. Bethany Marie to Passionist life, and she publicly voices her “yes” to this vocation

Fr. Ken Geraci, CPM, was associate pastor at Sister’s home parish (St. Mary of the Woods) during her formative years, and was a source of guidance in her discernment. He preached a beautiful homily on the spousal meaning of the religious vocation!

Sister’s smile only grew as the ceremony went on!

The examination - the celebrant asks Sister about her intention to live the five Passionist vows, and she expresses her readiness to do so

Sr. Bethany Marie pronounces the Passionist vows in the hands of Mother John Mary

Mother, acting in the name of the whole Church, accepts Sister’s vows

The conferral of the black veil, symbolizing Sister’s new identity as a Bride of Christ

Sister receives the Passion Sign on her habit and mantle.

(Fun fact- Sister’s mantle Sign is extra-special … it joined Mother John Mary and Sr. Cecilia Maria on their trip to Italy for the General Chapter, where it was touched to numerous Passionist holy sites and relics!)

Sister also received a Profession Crucifix as a reminder of the love of her Suffering Spouse

The “crowning moment” - Mother John Mary places the Cross and crown of thorns on Sr. Bethany Marie, signifying her total commitment to following Jesus Crucified

Sr. Bethany Marie of the Glorious Wounds of Christ - C.P.!!!

As Sister stood with the insignia of her Profession, the nuns’ choir sang the beautiful hymn Veni, Sponsa Christi - Come, Spouse of Christ

The General Intercessions were read by Sr. Cecilia Maria, who as Vocation Directress guided Sr. Bethany Marie in the early stages of her discernment

A joyful new bride of Christ!

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

A father-daughter moment before the Offertory procession

We learned a new hymn for the Offertory: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” complete with cello and violin parts!

Sr. Mary Veronica and Sr. Bethany Marie are joined by Joe and Cathy (Sr. Bethany Marie’s parents) to present the gifts for the celebration of the Eucharist

Fr. Matthew Millay incenses the gifts and the altar

“Graciously accept this oblation of our service, and of this Your servant, which we make to you on her Profession Day …”

(Special insert into the Roman Canon for a Mass of Religious Profession)

“This is My Body, which will be given up for you …”

“This is the Chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins …”

Our expert Mass servers (Mike, Dwayne, and Jacob) did an amazing job as usual. Dwayne especially loves to lay on the incense!

Somebody was a little too eager to check out the water channel in the middle of chapel …

Sr. Bethany Marie exchanges the Sign of Peace with her mother Cathy (who didn’t want to let go!) …

… her sister Chelsea …

… and her father Joe

We couldn’t resist sharing this precious photo too!

The Bridegroom comes to meet His newest bride in Holy Communion

We were blessed with the presence of many young families for the Profession Mass.

The liturgy concluded with a glorious rendition of “O God Beyond All Praising.” Indeed, we had many reasons to praise Him that day!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever!

Ad multos annos, Sister!