A couple of days ago, I posted a song from Youtube on Facebook and asked for the opinion of friends whether the song is suitable as Communion hymn. I am helping my brother with his wedding Mass, which is less than 3 weeks from now.
My Editor must have seen that post, so she flew me some questions through Google Chat…
“You’re getting married?!” She asked. I could sense her excitement.
“What I’m getting married???” I snapped. Ridiculous question, I thought to myself.
“Hehehehehe…”
“The only marriage I’d ever want would be when the Archbishop’s the one who places the ring for me…”
Even before I managed to finish the sentence, her next message came on my screen.
“Hahahaha… you wanna marry our Archbishop?”
I almost fell off my chair!
The ‘wedding’ that I was talking about is the Final Religious Profession (The Perpetual Profession) I witnessed on 12 May for the three Sisters of St Francis, which was held at St Joseph’s Cathedral.
Each of the sisters knelt before the Superior General. With a lighted candle in hand, she pronounced her perpetual profession, and then kissed The Book of the Gospel as a sign of her commitment and covenant.
This was witnessed by the congregation, and the Archbishop who presided over the Mass.
After the profession, the Archbishop blessed the rings, placed them on the sisters’ ring fingers and said to each one of them:
“I espouse you to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Almighty Father, and may He keep you ever in His love. Receive this Ring of Faith and Fidelity, the sign of the Holy Spirit, that you may be called spouse of God, ‘in whose embrace you are already caught up; Who has adorned your heart with precious stones and has placed priceless pearls in your ears and has surrounded you with sparking gems as though blossoms of springtime and placed on your head a golden crown engraved with the zeal of holiness’ (cf. 1EpCLAg. 10-11)”
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| "I espouse you to Jesus Christ..." Perpetual profession of 3 Franciscan sisters |
The newly professed sisters then signed the Document of Profession, witnessed by the Superior General, two other sisters, and the Archbishop.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
“I vow for the rest of my life to live in chastity, poverty and obedience […] I give myself to this family freely and with my whole heart…” These were parts of the words of profession.
Just like a wedding ceremony. But I found this ‘wedding’ to be more moving, especially when the Archbishop placed the ring on the sister’s finger and said “I espouse you to Jesus Christ…”
“The only wedding dress I would ever want to put on is the religious habit.” That was what I said almost 10 years ago when someone asked me when would be my turn to get married.
10 years ago! I guess that desire has never left me. Every time I was invited to a wedding Mass or/and wedding dinner, I was reminded of that special ‘wedding’. Another ‘format’ of walking down the aisle, and saying “I do” to my First Love.
I am still not sure what is stopping me from pursuing this desire. But I really hope the Lord would show me the way. If it’s really His will, I have no reason to say ‘no’.
Lord, you know my heart. You know that I love you.
[Please pray for me so that I’d know my vocation soon. Thank you!]
