On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was September 8, 2022, the Sisters of the Infant Jesus were filled with joy and excitement as we celebrated the First Profession of Vows of Sr. Rejoice Francis and Sr. Agnes Tadok.
The Eucharistic celebration was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Bukuru, Nigeria. The celebration was attended by the members of the family of the sisters who took the First Profession, and invited guest friends, priests, and religious to share the joy and witness the sister’s profession of religious vows.
The rite of profession includes the calling of the examination of the candidate and the profession to live the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience.
Monsignor Cletus Gotan was the principal celebrant and homilist and was concelebrated by two other priests. In his homily, he said that on this day, after such a long period of discernment by these young women as well as their superior, they have come to openly profess their vows as sisters in the congregation of the Infant Jesus Sisters.
The celebrants questioned the sisters about their readiness to dedicate themselves to God through their vows. He encouraged the newly professed sisters to see their vows as a gift rather than a high prevalence that liberates them to follow Christ with their entire hearts and to serve their neighbors. He also encouraged them to look it up to Mother Mary, the model of all religious.
The homily was followed by the rite of profession of vows, in which the Vice Provincial Leader, Rev. Sister Rebecca Odu, received each sister’s vows. There was great rejoicing and dancing. The highlight of the ceremony was when each sister took their vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity.
After their profession, the newly professed sisters receive from the superior the cross, the book of the institute containing the rules and constitutions of the congregation, and a crucifix to remind them that they have given themselves to a crucified Spouse and that they have to sacrifice many things to become like Him.
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