Thursday, 23 January 2014
Sr Maria Lourdes of Christ the King - Solemn Profession

lourdes procession

Sr Maria Lourdes of Christ the King at the beginning of the procession to the sanctuary.

By her is  Mother Damian (unseen),  Mgsr Sosing, our sister's brother who came over from New York for the occasion is smiling at her,  following behind are Father Gareth Jones and Canon Quigley. The nervous cross bearer is Sr Seraphina!

Vows
Sr Lourdes (in tears by now) professes her final and solemn vows

Lourdes vows

The crown
Sister has just received the crown of thorns and is coming down from the sanctuary to the choir for the Kiss of Peace

Lourdes crown of thorns

At the shutter
Sister Lourdes and Dear Mother at the sanctuary shutter greeting friends in the Dining Room

Lourdes shutter

Our Rite of Solemn Profession
Welcome
Your little sisters, the Poor Clare Colettines of Ty Mam Duw welcome you to this joyful celebration of the Solemn and Perpetual profession of Sister Maria Lourdes of Christ the King.

This is a big event and as you follow through the service, a lot will be happening!  The making of a Solemn Profession of the Gospel way of life is not a sacrament, like marriage or the priesthood, that is, it is not a sign that points to a greater reality in heaven - it is reality; and it is forever. Though we may change and fail, God does not; his faithfulness has no end; that is what we celebrate together today.


The Sister who is to make her Solemn and Perpetual Profession of Vows takes her place behind the cross-bearer and before the clergy in the entrance procession.  She  is escorted by her brother Mgr Sosing through the public chapel to the Choir grille of the sanctuary.  She is then seated in a place on the sanctuary from which she is visible to those beyond the grille. 

Processional  E 139

Crown him with many crowns, 
the Lamb upon his throne, 
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns 
all music but its own. 
Awake, my soul, and sing 
of him who died for thee, 
and hail him as thy matchless King 
through all eternity. 

Crown him the Lord of life, 
who triumphed o'er the grave, 
and rose victorious in the strife 
for those he came to save. 
His glories now we sing, 
who died, and rose on high, 
who died, eternal life to bring, 
and lives that death may die. 

Crown him the Lord of peace, 
whose power a scepter sways 
from pole to pole, that wars may cease, 
and all be prayer and praise. 
His reign shall know no end, 
and round his pierced feet 
fair flowers of paradise extend 
their fragrance ever sweet. 

Crown him the Lord of love; 
behold his hands and side, 
those wounds, yet visible above, 
in beauty glorified. 
All hail, Redeemer, hail! 
For thou hast died for me; 
thy praise and glory shall not fail 
throughout eternity. 

The celebrant welcomes us and with grateful thanksgiving we make our hearts new by asking God’s forgiveness in the Confiteor and as we sing the prayer ‘Lord have mercy’: from the English Plainchant Mass which you will find on a separate sheet


The Liturgy of the Word

A reading from the prophet Isaiah  
Is 33:17-24

Your eyes are going to look on a king in his beauty, they will see an immense country; your heart will look back on its fears:
where is he who counted,
where is he who weighed out,
where is he who counted the precious stones?
You will no longer see the overweening people,
the people of obscure, unintelligible speech,
of barbarous, senseless tongue.
Look on Zion, city of our feasts,
your eyes will see Jerusalem
as a home that is secure,
a tent not to be moved:
its pegs not pulled out,
not one of its ropes broken.
There the Lord is princely to us,
on the banks of broad-spreading rivers,
where there rows no galley,
there passes no majestic ship:
its tackle hangs loose,
it supports the mast no longer,
it does not hoist the pennon.
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord our lawgiver,
the Lord our King and our saviour.
Then immense booty shall be shared out,
even the lame fall to plundering,
no one living there shall say, ‘I am sickly’;
the people who live there will be forgiven all their faults.
The Word of the Lord.

Psalm 22 E 699

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spredst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.

A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians

God let light shine in our hearts that we in turn might make known the glory of God shining on the face of Christ. This treasure we possess in earthen vessels to make it clear that its surpassing power comes from God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; full of doubts, we never despair. We are persecuted but never abandoned; we are struck down but never destroyed. Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus might also be revealed.
We do not lose heart, because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time. The present burden of our trial is light enough, and earns for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. We do not fix our gaze on what is seen but on what is unseen. What is seen is transitory; but what is unseen lasts forever.
The Word of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation A 39
Alleluia, alleluia.....
If you make my word your home
You will indeed be my disciples
and you will learn the truth
says the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia....

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and listened to his words. Martha, who was busy with all the details of hospitality, came to him and said, “Lord, are you not concerned that my sister has left me to do the household tasks alone? Tell her to help me,”
The Lord in reply said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things; only one is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it.”
The Gospel of the Lord


 After the homily, Mother Abbess comes forward.  The Sister, who is to profess her vows, publicly witnesses to her free choice to do so.

The Rite of Solemn Profession

Examination 
Mother  
Sister  N  of  N. 

Sister 
Lord, you have called me by my name.
  
Behold, I come to do your holy  will.


Mother  
Dear daughter, what do you desire?

Sister  
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I seek, 
to dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life.


Mother  
Have you pondered well and really understood 
what you wish to commit yourself to do?


Sister 
I have, with the grace of God.

Mother 
Have you the courage to trust in God completely, that he will provide for all your needs, especially that he will give you the grace to live out faithfully what you desire to promise to him?


Sister  
I have, with the grace of God.

Mother 
You have put your hand to the plough 
and from this day forward there can be no looking back. 
Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests 
but the Son of Man, your Spouse, had nowhere to lay His head. 

Are you prepared to follow Him completely until the end?

Sister 
I am, with the grace of God.

Mother 
What you hold now, may you hold forever. 
What you promise now, may you never abandon, 
but with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet 
go forward, securely, joyfully, swiftly and prudently 
on the path of happiness, 
so that you may offer your vows to the Most High 
in that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.


All stand.

Celebrant 
May God who has begun this good work in you 
bring it to fulfilment before the day of Christ Jesus. 


Litany

Dear friends in Christ, 
let us now pray to the Father of all good gifts, 
uniting ourselves with the prayer of all the saints 
that His handmaid who seeks to serve Him with the whole desire of her heart 
may be strengthened in His service

and that He may bestow on her those gifts for which she longs.

Let us kneel.

The Sister who makes her profession of Solemn Vows prostrates before the altar, while the chantresses sing the Litany of the Franciscan Saints, which is to include her own patron.  The congregation join in the responses. 

Our Sister now prostrates before the altar. Because this gift of love reaches beyond time and space, we ask our family in heaven to join their prayers to ours as we sing the responses to the Litany of the saints.  


Cantors:  Lord have mercy.  R:  LORD HAVE MERCY.
Christ have mercy.  R:  CHRIST HAVE MERCY.
Lord have mercy.  R:  LORD HAVE MERCY.


God our Father in heaven.  R:  HAVE MERCY ON US.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World.  R:
God the Holy Spirit.  R:
Holy Trinity, one God.  R:

Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes. PRAY FOR US
Our Holy Father St Francis  R:
Our Holy Mother St Clare  R:
Our Holy Mother St Colette  R:

All you first companions of Blessed Francis and Blessed Clare R:  SPEAK TO GOD FOR US.

St Berard and Companions  R:  TEACH US TO WITNESS TO CHRIST.
St Daniel and Companions  R:
St Nicholas Tavelic and Companions  R:
St Nicholas Pick and Companions  R: 
St John Jones and Companions  R:
St Peter Baptist and Companions  R: 
St Fidelis  R:
St Maximillian  R: 
Bd Josephine Leroux  R: 
Bd Maria Isabel of Madrid and Companions  R:
Bd Asuncion of Madrid  R:
Bd Vincenta, Joaquina, Felicidad and Josefa of Valencia  R: 
Bd Milagros of Valencia  R:
Bd Isabel of Castellon  R: 
Bd Maria of Ostravere  R: 
All you Brothers and Sisters who laid down your life for Christ  R: 

St Anthony of Padua  R:  TEACH US TO FOLLOW THE LORD.
St Bonaventure  R:
St Bernadino  R:
St John of Capistrano  R:
St Benedict of San Fratello  R:
St Paschal Baylon  R:
St Laurence of Brindisi  R:
St Conrad of Parzam  R:
St Leopold Mandic  R:
St Pio of Pietrelcina  R:
Bd Agnellus of Pisa  R:
Bd John Duns Scotus  R:
All you shepherds who feed Christ’s flock  R:

St Agnes of Assisi  R:  TEACH US TO LOVE THE LORD JESUS.
St Agnes of Prague  R:
St Catherine of Bologna  R:
St Kunigunda  R:
St Eustochia Esmeralda  R:
St Jeanne de Valois  R:
St Veronica Guiliani  R:
St Baptista Varano  R:
St Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception  R:
Bd Helena Enselmini  R:
Bd Philippa  R:
Bd Salome  R:
Bd Yolanda  R:
Bd Mattia  R:
Bd Felicia  R:
Bd Seraphina  R:
Bd Paula  R:
Bd Antonia of Florence  R:
Bd Louise of Savoy  R:
Ven. Ortolana and Beatrix  R:
Ven. Mary Francis of the Five wounds  R:

St Elizabeth of Hungary  R:  PRAY FOR US.
St Ferdinand of Castile  R: 
St Rose of Viterbo  R:
St Louis  R:
St Margaret of Cortona  R:
St Roch  R:
St Jean Marie Vianney  R:
St Eleazer and Delphina  R:
Bd Pope John the Good  R:
All you Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order of our Father Francis  R:
All you who heard the word of God and did it  R:  

Lord be merciful.  R:   LORD SAVE YOUR PEOPLE.
From all evil  R:
From all sin  R:
From everlasting death  R:
By your coming as man  R:
By your death and rising to new life  R:
By your gift of the Holy Spirit  R:

Christ hear us, Christ hear us.
Lord Jesus hear our prayer
R: LORD JESUS HEAR OUR PRAYER

At the end of the litany the Celebrant alone rises and says, with hands joined:

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, 
Give to our Sister the grace 
to do for your sake what she knows you want 
and to always want what pleases you, 
so that, purified and enlightened and set on fire 
with the love of the Holy Spirit 
she may follow, until death, 
in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, 
and by your grace alone may come to you Most High, 
who live and reign and are glorified 
in perfect Trinity and undivided unity, 
God for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us stand.

The Sister rises and returns to her place.  Mother Abbess is now joined by her Vicaress.
First  as a Poor Clare she will formally renounce the right to own property thus freeing herself to give her trust completely to God as she professes the the three vows of the Gospel and the fourth vow of enclosure special to our Form of Life

Mother 
In preparation for the vows which you are about to pronounce, 
I invite you now to renounce all moral and actual right to own anything under heaven, 

in the covenant with Lady Poverty 
granted to our Holy Mother Clare by Pope Innocent III.


Sister
Since I desire to belong wholly to the Lord, 
I now renounce, once and for all, 
the power of owning anything under heaven, 
that I may in every way 
cling to the footprints of Him 
who became for us the Way, the Truth and the Life,

He whose left hand is under my head 
to support the weakness of my flesh, 
who feeds the birds of heaven, 
and clothes the lilies of the fields, 
will feed and clothe me, and provide all my needs 
until that day when His right hand embraces me 
and I behold Him in heaven. 
Amen.

Profession

Mother 
Be faithful unto death, most dear one, 
to what you are about to promise 
and you will be crowned by Christ with the wreath of eternal life. 
Our labour here below is short, the glory is infinite.


The Sisters kneel and the Celebrant and congregation remain standing.

Sister 
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I, little Sister N of N.
wish to follow the life and poverty of our most high Lord Jesus Christ,
and to persevere to the end.
And I vow to God, before the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and I promise you, dear Mother,
to observe for the whole time of my life
the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by living in obedience, without property and in chastity,
in the form of life which the blessed Francis gave to our Blessed Mother Clare
and Pope Innocent IV confirmed,
And I vow to observe enclosure,

after the example of our Holy Mother Colette.


Mother 
I receive these vows on behalf of the Church and the Order. 

What you have vowed to God render to Him faithfully 
and he shall reward you. 
Look up to heaven, dear one, which beckons us on, 
and take up your cross and follow Christ 
who walks ahead of us. 
For whatever tribulations we may have here 
we shall enter through Him into His glory.


The Vow Card and the Renunciation of Property is then signed by the Sister and her signature is attested to, both on the Vow Card and in the Book of Professions by the Abbess, Vicaress, Novice Mistress and the Celebrant, while the choir sing:

CD 26 (key of Bb)
Be faithful unto death 
and I will give you the crown of life.


Solemn Blessing  and Consecration of the Professed

Celebrant 
Lord God, 
Creator of the world and Father of mankind, 
we honour you with praise and thanksgiving, 
for you chose a people from the stock of Abraham 
and consecrated them to yourself, 
calling them by your Name. 
While they wandered in the wilderness 
your word gave them comfort 
and your right hand protection. 
When they were poor and despised 
you united them to yourself in a covenant of love. 
When they strayed from your friendship
your mercy led them back to the right way. 
When they sought you, 
your Fatherly care looked after them 
until they came to dwell in a land of freedom.

But above all, we thank you, Father, 
for revealing the knowledge of truth 
through your son Jesus Christ, our brother.

When He took his place at your right hand,
He sent his Holy Spirit to call countless disciples
to follow the evangelical counsels
and consecrate their lives
to the glory of your name and the salvation of humankind.

Today it is right
that your House should echo with a new song of thanksgiving
for this Sister of ours
who has listened to your voice
and made herself over to your holy service.

Lord, send the gift of the Holy Spirit upon your handmaid 
who has left all things for your sake. 

Father, may her life reveaI the face of Christ, your son, 
so that all who see her may come to know 
that He is always present in your Church.
We pray that in freedom of heart
she may free from care the hearts of others;
in helping the afflicted,
may she bring comfort to Christ 
suffering in His sisters and brothers;
may she look upon this world and see it ruled by His wisdom.
May the gift she makes of herself 
hasten the coming of His kingdom,
and make her one at last with your saints in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Insignia of Profession

The Bride now receives her ring.  Unlike those joined in an earthly marriage, our sister will wear her ring on her right hand.  This symbolizes that God’s love is always the first love, the love that comes before all other.  As  St Paul says, marriage is a profound mystery but it is a symbol that refers to Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:32).
Sister will  now exchange her crown of flowers for the thorns that her Lord received.  The Son of God carried his wounds to his Father’s throne in heaven where they shine more brightly in his risen joy than any earthly diamonds.  The same is true, in a more humble measure, for us.  The free acceptance of death and suffering will be our glory in eternity.

The Blessing of the ring 

Celebrant 
Lord of eternal faithfulness 
bless this ring + 
the symbol of your covenant 
with your sister and bride, N of N.

As a circle has no beginning or end, 
so too, your love is endless and complete. 

Fashioned in silver,
it is a sign of the poverty you have chosen for your bride. 
May she wear it in trust until the day she is united to you in heaven.

As she places the ring on the Sister's finger Mother Abbess says: 

I espouse you to Jesus Christ 
the Son of the most high Father 
who will protect you.

Receive the ring of faith,

the seal of the Holy Spirit, 
that you may be called the spouse of Christ. 
Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love.


The Choir sing F7 v3
And we have left all things
and chosen poverty
and taken Jesus for our King 
for whom we wear a ring.

The Crown of Thorns

Mother 
Receive, dearest sister,
the crown which your spouse, the only begotten Son of God, offers you,
that you may deserve to share in His passion on earth
and in His glory in heaven. 

As the crown of thorns is placed on the sisters head the choir sing:   CS 14

If you suffer with Him you shall reign with Him
If you weep with Him you shall rejoice with Him,
if you die with Him on the cross of tribulation
you shall possess a home in heaven
amid the splendour of the saints, 
and your name shall be called glorious.


Mother Abbess now leads Sister to the Celebrant and people then to the community so that they may exchange the Sign of Peace. 

CD 54
My Peace I leave you, my peace I give you
trouble not your hearts.
My Peace I leave you, my peace I give you
be not afraid.

Hc 15
O Christe Domine Jesu

The Commendation
The celebrant stands and addressing the Abbess says:

Mother, 
take this spouse of Jesus Christ
under your care and direction,
and consider in what manner you may keep her dedicated 
and present her spotless to God,
knowing that you must render an account
before the tribunal of her spouse, the future Judge.

Amen.

The rite fittingly concludes with the Prayers of the Faithful which invoke the Spirit on the Church and commend the newly professed and her community to the care of the Lord.  


Celebrant
In Baptism we were made part of Christ’s body, the Church.  We pray for the Church that she may be ever renewed in Christ’s grace through that exchange of love in religious vows which draws us all closer to the Lord.

Reader
We pray for the first universal father of the Church to take the name of our father St Francis.  may we be, and become more deeply, a church of the poor and for the poor.
R Kyrie, Kyrie eleison

Our father St Francis in his song for Clare called us to come together from all parts of the earth, may our unity as a family here at Ty Mam Duw heal the divisions of our world.

We pray for all those who have accompanied our little sister, supporting her with love and prayer on her pilgrimage to this day.

We pray for all our dear ones who now live in the Lord’s presence in light and peace, especially our little sister’s parents José and Lourdes. With them may we feel the joy of heaven today.

We pray for our sister’s family and friends in the Philippines and elsewhere and are not able to be with us today and we thank tGod for the happy arrival of sister’s eldest brother Mgr Sosing.

We place under the mantle of our Mother St Colette all those who want to live the life of the Gospel. Call many others to join us in praising the Lord, for his goodness has no end.

Celebrant
Father in heaven,
may all your children
do as you Son pleases and wills
in the joy of the Holy Spirit
You who live and reign forever.
Amen

During the Offertory Song, the newly professed Sister and her Novitiate companion may bring the gifts for the eucharistic sacrifice to the altar. 

CD 49  Your eyes

Your eyes are going to look on a king in his beauty.
You will see a land that stretches afar 
and your heart will look back on its fears.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Through the ministry of our priests, we now relive Christ’s presence in the Paschal Mystery when he gave us his life, transforming bread and wine into his body and blood.

The Proper texts for the Mass of Religious Profession are used.
If you are not able to receive Communion but you would like to come forward for a blessing, please cross your arm over your chest to signify your intention.

Post Communion Song F76
Prayer is like a pearl that is hidden in the dark
love is like a mirror in a dream
Open wide my eyes let me see your face in mine
nothing Lord is quite like what it seems.

Prayer is like a sail 
that the Spirit’s breath drives on;
Love is like the keel that cleaves the sea.
I can’t see the shore,
and the empty sky is dark;
you, Lord, are the storm that shakes me free.

Prayer is like a spear 
that is burning in my heart,
Love is flowing from my hands and feet.
You have made me yours,
and I see you, through your eyes,
present, Lord, in everyone I meet,

When the prayer after communion has been said Mother Abbess comes forward and presents the Sister with a candle.

Mother 
Receive this lighted candle,
may you be a lofty candlestick of holiness in the house of the Lord

all the days of you life,
and may we, together, one family in love,
reflect the fire of love that Christ came to enkindle on earth.
Amen

The Celebrant blesses the newly professed.

Celebrant 
May the Father almighty make you firm in faith,
innocent in the midst of evil,
and wise in the pursuit of goodness.
Amen.

May the Lord Jesus, whom you follow,
enable you to live out the mystery
of His death and resurrection in your own life.
Amen.

May the fire of the Holy Spirit
cleanse your hearts from all sin
and set them on fire with His love.
Amen.


The celebrant then blesses the community and the congregation

May almighty God, the Father, and the Son + and the Holy Spirit 
bless all of you who have taken part in this celebration. 
Amen.



Final Hymn        E300

Immaculate Mary! 
Our hearts are on fire, 
that title so wondrous 
fills all our desire.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria!
Ave, ave, ave Maria!

We pray for God’s glory, 
may his kingdom come!
We pray for his vicar, 
our father, and Rome.

We pray for our mother
the church upon earth,
and bless, sweetest Lady,
the land of our birth.

For poor, sick, afflicted
thy mercy we crave;
and comfort the dying, 
thou light of the grave.

There is no need, Mary,
nor ever has been,
which thou canst not succour,
Immaculate Queen.

In grief and temptation, 
in joy or in pain,
we’ll ask thee, our mother,
nor seek thee in vain.

O bless us, dear Lady,
with blessings from heaven.
And to our petitions
let answer be given.

In death’s solemn moment,
our mother, be nigh;
as children of Mary - 
help us when we die.

And crown thy sweet mercy
with this special grace,
to behold soon in heaven
God’s ravishing face.

To God be all glory 
and worship for aye, 
and to God’s virgin mother                                               
an endless Ave.

If you would like to stay for lunch there is a buffet in the dining room which opens off the door at the top right of the extern chapel.
Thank you for joining us today

Up and Coming events
Saturday February 8 2014 Feast of St Colette
Mass and the Blessing of St Colette 12.30

And all subsequent Saturdays at 12.30:
We will be praying the Chaplet of St Colette every Saturday at 12.30 with the blessing of St Colette for any who wish to receive it.