The final days before Profession for nine of our Candidates were filled with prayer, sharing and laughter. On Friday evening Sister Annette gave a reflection on their Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order.
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- “From Gospel to life and life to Gospel”, the way of life for a Secular Franciscan.
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- All gathered for Night Prayer in church.
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- A Powerpoint presentation highlighted some of the gifts and obligations they had studied in their Formation.
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- Profession is not a graduation. It is a doorway to a deeper life with Christ.
On Saturday all moved to the school cafeteria where Sister Kathleen had attractively displayed pictures of St. Francis’ Canticle done by Sister Mariella Erdmann, a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity.
It was here that Fr. Jerome OFM, the Provincial Spiritual Assistant for the St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, shared many excellent truths on the Admonitions of St. Francis.
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- The Parish sign board announced the big day.
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- Sister Kathleen had arranged a wall display for the occasion.
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- Fr. Jerome sharing on the Admonitions
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- The group listened eagerly to the wisdom of the Admonitions.
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- A close up of the Canticle arrangement
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- And again, more of the Canticles
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- Our Husband and wife team
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- Discussion of the material between members
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- Attentively listening to Father’s message
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- Good food to nourish the body
Come Sunday morning, all was in readiness for the Candidates and their family and friends who were coming to witness and celebrate this Profession. The last time a Secular Profession had taken place at St. Francis of Assisi Parish had been in the early 1970’s. Few present remembered the occasion.
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- The entry to St. Francis church was beautifully decorated.
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- The Bibles, San Damiano Crosses and the Profession candles were all in readiness.
The flowers–nine white and three red, represent the nine members to be Professed and the three members who have died as the journey unfolded.
This “Newly Forming Group” has been discerning for months and years through prayer, study, reading, sharing, and questioning. They were ready for Profession!
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- The pinning of the corsages…
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- …all ready and eager to go.
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- Mass begins…
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- “After the example of Christ and in union with his own act of thanksgiving, we are to present ourselves before the Father as living sacrifices of praise given for the life of the world.”
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- The Liturgy of the Word
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- “I am ready and willing.”
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- “Yes, this is what I want”.
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- Let us pray… the Litany of the Saints.
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- “Before this Fraternity and the other members of the People of God gathered here, I ask you to express your will. Do you wish to embrace the Gospel way of life…?”
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- “I_______, by the grace of God, renew my baptismal promises and consecrate myself to the service of his kingdom…
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- Therefore in my secular state I promise to live all the days of my life the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…
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- …in the secular Franciscan Order by observing its rule of life.
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- May the Grace of the Holy Spirit, and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary…
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- …. and our holy father St. Francis,…
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- … and the fraternal bonds of community…
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- always be my help…
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- …so that I may reach the goal…
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- …of perfect Christian love.”
The giving of the Bible, San Damiano Cross and the Profession candle followed.
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- “Christ the gift of the Father’s love…may you continually encounter the living and active person of Christ.”
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- ” May you conform your thoughts and deeds to those of Christ…”
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- ” By your Profession you are the light of Christ in the world…”
The newly Professed filed out after Mass singing and clapping to the song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”.
Smiles and radiant faces were seen all around.
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- Group pictures with Fr. Jerome and Ms. Pat
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- Ms. Pat handed out the Council appointments.
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- Towels wrapped around the appointments symbolise that they, the servants, are to wash the feet of their brothers and sisters.
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- Fr. Jerome has a few minutes of conversation with newly Professed.
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- Congratulations! And welcome to our Franciscan family.
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- Gathering in the school cafeteria for a dinner with family, friends and Regional OFS guests.
The graces of this day were plentiful for the Newly Professed and their families as well as for the parish of St. Francis of Assisi. May the lives of these individuals flourish in holiness and spill over into their families and the parish members who witnessed this wonderful Profession of faith and commitment.