First Vows! - Handmaids of the Precious Blood

Our Easter season is especially blessed this year as we rang out with sung, “Alleluias” as our Sister Maria Crucis of Saint Joseph professed her First Vows for three years as a Handmaid of the Precious Blood on April 10th, 2024.

Once again transforming the refectory, chapter room, sewing room into a sanctuary, Mass Chapel, vestry, and sacristry.

[Each event like this deepens our prayers to Saint Joseph to help us fund raise and construct Holy Family building so the Handmaid Furniture Moving Company can finally go out of business. In truth, we remain indebted to selfless Knights of Columbus who lend stronger muscles than ours when we have to move heavy tables and pre-dieus up and down hills and over gravel driveways.]

All Handmaids were busy preparing for the big day while Sister enjoyed her pre-vows retreat in preparation for her espousal to Christ the Divine Bridegroom. Father Michael E. Cummins, V.F. and Father Randy Stice, our long time confessor since our move to Tennessee, concelebrated the Mass. Providence had it that a serious discerner was our Come and See here to see a Mass of First Profession as she discerns her calling in life. Witnessing a religious taking the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience is a beautiful grace and we now welcome Gray to our burgeoning formation group as our second Aspirant.

With the scent of Easter lillies still abounding, we sang the Mass of the Angels. After the Gospel, we sang a hymn to the Holy Spirit before Rev. Mother Sarah Michael conducted the calling and examination. Then Sister Maria Crucis made her First Vows kneeling before our Mother Prioress.

Trinitarian emblem worn over the heart.

As a sign of our consecration, at First Vows, the newly professed Sister receives the Handmaids of the Precious Blood scapular emblem, worn over the heart. Its triangular shape honors the Trinity, the white dove represents the Holy Spirit, the gold chalice represents priests, living chalices of the Precious Blood, to whom our apostolate is dedicated. The blue outline reminds us of our loyalty to Jesus through Mary.

Please pray for Sister Maria Crucis, all our formation group, and each Handmaid as we strive to live our Founder’s charism of JOY: “Jesus, Only You” in serving Christ in His Priest.

: The weekly priests chalkboard was redrawn for the day.

: As Sister’s title in religion is “of Saint Joseph” we made sure his statue was present in the sanctuary.

: Consecration to Our Lady the Evening before the Mass of Religious Profession

: Prior to the Mass, the Emblems to be presented when taking First Vows are blessed by the priests.

: A beautiful Mass.

: A small table holds the items needed for the ceremony.

: Novice Sister Francis Clare reads the Song of Songs at the ambo.

: Mother Sarah Michael sings Psalm 27.

: Postulant Chrissy reads from Philippians.

: Father Cummins proclaims the Gospel of Luke.

: Mother and Sister Christiana conduct the calling and examination of the candidate for vows.

: Sister Maria Crucis lights her candle while members of the formation group look on.

: After professing her First Vows, Sister signs the vows.

: Rev. Mother Sarah Michael accepts the vows of Sister Maria Crucis.

: Mother pins the emblem on Sister’s scapular.

: The new bride and spouse of Christ is presented to the community.

: Presentation of the gifts.

: Sister Maria Crucis carries up the ciborium.

: Elevation of Host and Chalice after consecration.

: Father Stice gives Sister the Precious Blood.

: Happy and hearty congratulations to the newly professed.

: More prayers, greetings, and blessings.

: In addition to Sister’s parents and grandmother, we were blessed to have the Religious Sisters of Mercy attend. Here Sister Mary Simone and Sister Joan Miriam greet the priests.

: Mother and daughter share a laugh after the Mass.

: Sister with her parents and grandmother.

: Joyful RSM Sisters.

: Another way to spell VOWS is FIAT!

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