Missionaries of Charity celebrate first Final Profession of Vows in San Francisco
By Mary Powers
Joined by Sister M. Juan, delegate of the Superior General, Sister M. Joseph, MC, Sister Ancy, Counselor from the Contemplative branch of the Society, Sister Paula Marie, Local Regional Superior, and Sr. Marie do Carmo, Formation Coordinator, 11 sisters made their final profession of vows on May 24. This is the first final profession of vows held in San Francisco for the Missionaries of Charity. Previously, it was held in Washington, D.C. Four sisters also made their first profession later in the week.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone presided over the final professions at St. Paul Church in San Francisco. The sisters who made their final professions were: Sister M. Almudena, M.C., Sister M. Ana Guadalupe, M.C., Sister M. Auxiliadora, M.C., Sister M. Chiara Agnes, M.C., Sister Christi Maria, M.C., Sister Elena Maria, M.C., Sister Faustina Maria, M.C., Sr. Kepa Maria, M.C. (Contemplative), Sister Lourde Ann, M.C., Sister M. Rosa Isela, M.C., and Sr. Trina Maria, M.C. The intimate ceremony was followed by dancing and singing outside with family, friends and supporters of the order.
In his homily, Archbishop spoke to the sisters saying, “My dear sisters, today you profess yourselves as spouses of Christ, his deepest, most intimate friends, in the community of the Missionaries of Charity. Your Mother has modeled so perfectly for us this way of friendship: the path of agape love which leads to an intimacy with God that is the mystery of joy in the midst of suffering, in the midst of serving those who suffer and are the poorest of the poor.
“No sum of silver or gold could possibly quantify or come close to the joy it delivers, not even a million dollars. Dear sisters: such joy is infectious, and we are profoundly grateful to you for taking up this path today as you become our Lord’s deepest, most intimate friends, his spouses. May he grant you the grace to persevere in this call, that your consecration today to the life to which he has called you may manifest for all of us the meaning and desire of being his friends.”
On Friday, May 26, Bishop Michael Barber presided at the First Profession of Vows for four Missionaries of Charity at the Immaculate Conception Chapel in San Francisco.