Sr. John Paul, named after the soon to be beatified Pope, made her first profession of vows on February 2nd, the day her namesake had dedicated as the day for Consecrated Life. February 2nd, primarily the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is suffused with the Light of Christ as we celebrate him as the light of revelation to the nations. Fittingly, Sister made her public profession to follow Christ in poverty, chastity and obedience on this day. The candlelight procession at this Mass, (also known as Candlemas), seems to resonate with other celebrations where all present hold a light as a sign and testament of their faith – the Easter Vigil, Rosary Processions and World Youth Day Vigils, just to name a few. Particularly at the Easter Vigil, each member of the faithful, standing in the light of their own candle and those surrounding them, renews his or her baptismal promises to reject Satan and the works of darkness and also professes one’s faith in God. Sister John Paul deepened this act of faith by religious profession in order to live according to the Gospel and its counsels. What an awesome gift to make such a promise in the presence of this cloud of witnesses (both on heaven & earth!). And what a grace for us, to have another Sister zealously dedicated to the adoration and service of Our Lord! Sister herself was beaming with smiles throughout this joyous day – a testimony that the light of Christ was truly burning within!
“You must be strong with the strength that comes from faith… I ask you to accept once again your spiritual heritage… with faith, hope and love… I ask that you never despair, never grow weary, never become discouraged; that the roots from which we grow are never severed; that you keep your faith despite your weakness, that you always seek strength in Him; that you never lose that freedom of spirit for which He has liberated man; that you never spurn that love… expressed by the cross, without which human life has no roots and no meaning. I ask this of you.”Venerable John Paul II
