RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS: WHITE VEIL

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Vocation Snippet

If you are a lifelong Catholic and encountered religious sisters over the years, you may have noticed that in some communities that the color of the veil can signify whether the sister has been professed or not. Not infrequently over the years, Handmaids have been asked about our white veils by others assuming they are speaking to a novice or …

Yes, the Crown of Thorns is real.

Religious Symbols: Crown of Thorns

A HandmaidNews, HPB Vocations, Vocation Snippet

When we take our final vows, part of the ceremony is receiving and wearing a crown of thorns. A real one. We use pyracantha (otherwise called, very appropriately, firethorn) to fashion the crown. Since our veils are white, symbolizing the Eucharist, the Mother Prioress tries not to draw any blood either through the thorns or when pinning the crown to …

Handmaid Habit

Our Habit

Our Habit: Crimson Robes “The Precious Blood of Jesus is your wedding garment, dear Handmaids, treasure it for it speaks to you of love.” – Father Gerald, s.P. Founder   Why is our apparel red? Why do the Handmaids wear red? Precisely, why do we wear wine-red? And white veils? What do the symbols of the habit and veil mean? When our …

Lying prostrate before the altar during the Litany of the Saints.

Profession of Vows

Come, Bride of Christ A Closer Look at the Ceremony of Profession of Vows It takes a long time to make a nun…at least nine years, but no more than twelve, for a Handmaid of the Precious Blood. Much longer than your pre-Cana course for couples wanting to wed in the Catholic Church. In that time, the candidate is tested …