In the last few weeks, we have been able to share in the joy of our Provinces as many sisters took their next steps in religious life.
Our Indonesian Province was the first to begin. Since our Superior General, Mother Maria Cordis, has been in Indonesia for the past several weeks, she was able to personally receive the vows of three sisters who made first profession in Pringsewu on July 15. In addition, eight postulants received the religious habit and veil as well as their religious name, thus beginning the novitiate (a special time of religious formation).
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki celebrated a joy-filled Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Alton, USA. During this celebration, three junior professed sisters made their perpetual profession of vows (final vows), two novices made first profession and three postulants received the religious habit and veil. At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Paprocki imparted a special papal blessing granted in honor of the 100
th anniversary of the first five German sisters arriving in America.
The joy in Japan was especially great. For more than a year, two Vietnamese women had been waiting in in their home country for visas to be able to travel to Japan. Their desire was to enter our Congregation in Sapporo. Many sisters prayed for this intention and their prayers were heard. The visas were finally granted, and, on August 10, 2024, both sisters were able to be received as novices in our Provincial Motherhouse in Sapporo.
Closing out these celebrations, on August 14 th in Wekiar, Timor-Leste (formerly part of Indonesia), three sisters made their perpetual profession into the hands of our Superior General, Mother Maria Cordis, and four novices made their first profession.
We are grateful that God has called these sisters and for their willingness to follow His call within our Congregation. It is our joy to continue to accompany them with our prayers on their journey through life.