Father Palka's Blog: Two newly “Perpetually Professed” Sisters! Are you next?

Two newly “Perpetually Professed” Sisters!

Are you next?

Thank you for your prayers for Sister Bernadette-Marie of Jesus Christ Crucified and Sister Mary Imelda of the Redeemer. After years of discernment, living in the FLM community, and taking temporary (I think that’s the right word for it) vows, both of these Sisters took their vows to the highest level and made them perpetually binding.

They both spent the last month in even more contemplative prayer than normal. They were, by and large, excused from their normal duties/chores to free them up for more intense private prayer as well as their community prayer. The last week or so ramped even that up another notch as they made a private retreat.

While they were retreating from this world and entering more deeply into the mystical realm where angels and Saints worship God unceasingly, much physical work was being done at the convent. I mentioned briefly last time that the Discalced Carmelites were coming to do all of the work of serving the Pontifical Mass. They built an extension to the extension that had already been built onto the sanctuary so that there was more room for the celebrant, Cardinal Burke, to sit upon his throne. Then they had to move the canopy structure, which had been installed a mere day or two before, but which was now not over the throne in its new place. They did a superb job, even though it meant that at least one of them stayed up all night to complete the construction!

Cardinal Burke was the celebrant of the Mass and the Bishop of Wichita, Bishop Carl Kemme, was in choir. He was amazed with the beauty and intricacy of the Mass.

The Sisters professed their vows to Mother Maria Regina and then proffered the written document to the Cardinal to acknowledge. Those written statements of their intentions to remain faithful to their vows and their community were then placed under the altar cloth upon which Mass was about to be celebrated.

The Sisters prostrated themselves before the tabernacle, just outside of the altar rail, and were covered with funeral palls as a symbol of their dying to self and to this world for the sake of the next. As Jesus Christ, their spouse, gave His life for the salvation of all who would accept His grace, so they offered themselves along with Him, joining in His saving act of love.

I was supposed to be in choir, just sitting there and looking pretty. I am good at “sitting there” (fidgets and all) but not so good at the “looking pretty” part, so I swapped that role for the one helping to distribute Holy Communion. Much better!

From my seat I had what seemed to be a perfect view of all that the two Sisters were doing as well as everything that the Cardinal was doing or had done to him. Except that there were three rows of tall priests sitting between me and the ”action.” And even they couldn’t see much because of the swarm of Carmelites surrounding the Cardinal and the Sisters, busily moving, changing, holding, and directing this, that, and the other.

In reality, I was very thankful that I already knew what was happening, for even xray vision couldn't have pierced the cloud of holiness in front of me! It also kept me focused on praying for the Sisters instead of finding myself in the trap into which I can so easily fall, watching a beautiful religious ceremony with more worldly fascination than otherworldly contemplation.

It was a long, tiring week for everyone, but it was worth it! For the next few days, Compline, and, thus, bedtime was moved up a little bit so that slowly we could catch up on some much needed rest. (By using the Royal “we” I mean “the Sisters” for they are the ones who did even more work than the Carmelites!) Of course, the Sisters are all gung ho to have more ceremonies like that, whether it is for more Perpetual Vows, temporary vows, or whatever else the girls go through to enter the joy of Community Life.

So, ladies, if you are discerning a vocation what are you waiting for? Come and share this life with the FLMs! Their website is listed below.

With prayers for your holiness,

Rev. Fr. Edwin Palka