The August Vocation Round-Up

Little Sisters of the Poor, First Vows, July 2010

It’s that time of year again, when postulants receive the habit, novices take their first vows and some finally arrive at the long-hoped-for day of final profession. Above we see Sisters Amy Marie, Dara Catherine, Judith, and Maria Catherine four newly-professed Little Sisters of the Poor, just after making their first profession. Five new novices were also welcomed to the community in Queens, New York. Their photo album is here. And The Brooklyn Tablet has a great piece on them, too.

A quick glossary:
Aspirant: One who is formally discerning a vocation with a specific religious community.
Postulant: From the Latin postulare, meaning “to ask”; aspirant has asked to be admitted into the community to try his vocation
Novice: Postulant acquires the habit (if one is worn) and possibly a new name-in-religion, and takes first steps within the community during this period of intense study and formation. Novice may leave (or be asked to leave) at any point as discernment continues.
Temporary Professed (aka “Junior” or “first-vowed): Community and novice have discerned that this person and this community seem to be right for each other. Temporary vows are made, sometimes renewable at specific periods. Formation and discernment continue. Separation from the community is still possible.
Final Profession/Full Profession: The community member makes vows “for all of my life,” to serve God within the community.

The Consuming Fire: 21 postulants become Dominican Novices. The gals at Moniales (who recently clothed another new novice) have the friar-novices group picture!

The Norbertines: a slideshow of their ordinations. The sisters are growing like gangbusters

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist: keep scrolling down for slideshows of first profession, final profession and clothings; they have a big group of new postulants due soon.

Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration: new novices, first profession and final profession. Postulants entering soon.

Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Los Angeles: first professions and novitiate entrances

Maronite Servants of Christ the Light, the first (and newly forming) U.S. association in the Maronite Rite as two new postulants

Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R: like so many sisters, they’re moving into newly-built digs and professing and clothing. Scroll down.

Benedictine Nuns: scroll down for novitiate news

Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus: novices and first vows

Lockport Dominicans: two new postulants

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (St. Joseph’s Monastery), recently moved from Ohio to North Caroline have an aspirant and a postulant

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Our Lady of the Angels Monastery) has begun a blog. Scroll down to see their four new novices and one newly professed.

Missionary Benedictines: newly professed

Panhandle Franciscans: First Vows

Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception: Two new novices

Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict: new novice pics

8 Jesuits: making first vows (pdf)

School Sisters of Christ the King: Photo Gallery includes professions, receptions

Poor Clare’s Santa Barbara, CA; new novice

Poor Clares, Belleville, IL: new novice

Benedictines of St. Walburga Abbey: A first profession

Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (Our Lady of Solitude Monastery) posts pics of their new novice, and check out their new stained glass windows!

Sisters of Life: ten first professions (!) and one final, plus six new novices. See below:

6 New Novices, Sisters of Life

Dominican Nuns, Menlo Park; Solemn Profession, new novice and new novice and soon a postulant

Rock Island Benedictines: a 37 Year Discernment

Sinsinawa Dominicans: first and final professions

Trappist Nuns, Massachusetts: first profession

Salesian Sisters: keep scrolling

Sister Servants of the Eternal Word: Two new novices, and two first professions

Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: new novices, scroll down.

Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George: August 15th is their big day, with vows and clothings.

Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church: Four new novices

Nashville Dominicans; always the last to put their stuff up, so keep watching. I think they have nearly 30 postulants expected in September.

I feel like I’m forgetting many, but I’m sure they’ll let me know about it if I am! Don’t forget to check out the word of the day!