This Vocation Letter continues the story of our fictional novice, Sister Mary Rosaria, as the second year of her novitiate draws to a close. Several months before the end of the novitiate, the novice along with the community prayerfully review her progress in this vocation to decide if she should move ahead to pronounce first vows. Once Sister petitions to make profession, and the Council and Chapter approve, a date is set for the ceremony.
Giving one’s acts and one’s power to act to God by vow gives more than giving only one’s acts: “Thus, he who gives the tree and its fruits offers more than if he offered only the fruits while retaining possession of the tree.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“As the apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the young men. I sat down under his shadow, whom I desired: and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” – Sg of Sg 2:3
Ave + Maria
Dear Mother,
I am writing this official letter to seek admission to temporary vows in this Dominican Monastery of St. Jude. The past three years that I have spent in formation, one as a postulant and two as a novice, have only confirmed the desire that grew in my heart during my period of aspirancy to give myself totally to Jesus through Mary for souls as a Dominican nun here at Marbury.
Living day-by-day the observances of our Dominican monastic life has caused me to appreciate in new and deeper ways how every element works together toward the goal of our profession, perfect love. In community life, I have found support, joyful witness to grace, and the challenge to see beyond myself and love my Sisters. In the living rhythm of liturgical prayer and in the unfolding richness of lectio divina, I have more deeply experienced the fruitfulness of the Word, increasingly “putting on the mind of Christ” and offering myself with Him. In the great privilege of Eucharistic Adoration and tender union with Our Lady through her Rosary and all our dear devotions to her, I have gained a greater intimacy with Jesus and Mary, and a greater longing to bring all souls to God through our intercessory prayer. Our novitiate classes and the Sisters’ sharings have increased my thirst for truth drawing me deeper into contemplation and love of God. With our Dominican emphasis on how “the exterior affects the interior,” I have come to a deeper understanding of how enclosure, silence, the holy habit, and our other observances work to dispose our hearts to be ever receptive to God’s grace.
Even areas that have been more of a challenge to me have, through God’s grace, been even more an occasion of growth and self-knowledge. The fidelity and joy of the older Sisters, especially, is a sign to me of the deeper growth Our Lord has in store for me in this vocation, united with Him in the vows of poverty, chastity, and especially obedience.
I feel ready, by God’s grace, to be “implanted and rooted in the monastic life” by temporary profession so that I may prepare for my total consecration to God in the Order until death, as our Constitutions say. I most earnestly desire to give myself totally to God, and trust Our Lady that the years of temporary profession will be a preparation under her mantle and close to her heart, to belong totally and completely to Jesus at Solemn Profession. For this reason, I humbly and sincerely ask to make my first profession of vows.
In Our Lady,
Sister Mary Rosaria of Divine Mercy, O.P.
You May Also Like:
- Where does First Profession fit in the process of formation? Read about our Stages in Formation.
- A few real-life First Professions: here and here.
- Could this be your vocation? Come and See; contact our Vocation Directress.