On Monday 23rd September, the vigil of the First National Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham, early in the morning during morning prayer, Valentina (originally from the mountainous regions of northern Italy) was accepted into novitiate in our little chapel.On this occassion she also received the community medal which shows Our Lady of Walsingham on one side and the scene of the Annunciation on the reverse side.
Religious Life begins officially in the Novitiate. ‘The purpose of the novitiate…is to give the novices a greater understanding of their divine vocation. At the same time their resolution and suitability are to be tested (Code of Canon Law, 641-645).’ The novices need to be properly prepared for religious profession according to the exigency of religious life and the charism of their community.
The whole day was one of immense joy as we also welcomed Mairead’s family, friends and guests for her first profession of vows after evening prayer. This happened during Mass, celebrated n the local parish Church in Dereham by Fr Mark Hackeson (an old friend of Mairead’s and now based in Swaffham). It was so good that many of the local parishioners were also able to attend, many for the first time, a religious profession.
In Sr Mairead’s own words: ‘How can I speak of the day: amazing, never thought the day of my first vows could be filled with so many graces and blessings. It was wonderful to share the day with some of my family from Ireland and France and friends from different parts of my life in the UK and of course with my sisters in COLW. All have been part of the journey to this every special day. I really feel that I am answering a call from God and I trust Him in the path He is leading me on. It is hard to pinpoint one moment in the past when I first thought, “Is God really calling me to religious life? No, He can’t be, so I’ll ignore it!” God had other ideas, in particular over the last 7 years and gradually an ever deepening desire to know more about my faith and COLW, helped me overcome fears and gain the courage to take the steps leading to first vows’.
After Mass we all went back to our convent for a special and plenteous meal and an amazing cake (photo below right). It was made by Sr Gabi & decorated by our postulant Kate – even the primrose flowers were homemade. As you can see from the dove, Sr Mairead is a great lover of the Holy Spirit :-). The celebrations went on for a while and could not have gone better.
Photo below left: Sr Mairead with (from left) her sister Fiona, mother (Josie) and brother (Anton)
The vows of consecrated life are means by which a sister seeks to be more closely configured to the One she loves. Living these vows draws her into the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. She embraces a transforming love who gives meaning to all suffering and sacrifice.
Please keep Valentina and Sr Mairead in your prayers as they start this new stage of their vocational journey