Solemn Profession of Benedictines: simply beautiful

by Fr John Zühlsdorf

Our friend R.J. Sciurus of Serviam has alerted us the splendid photos of the solemn professions of the wonderful sisters of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, in Kansas City.

Many of their sisters have been waiting many years for this moment. On Saturday they were able to make their final, lifelong vows in the presence of His Excellency Bishop Robert Finn.

Here are a couple photos, but be sure to go to Kansas Catholic.

(reposted from What Does the Prayer Really Say?)

Investitures with the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

by Gregor Kollmorgen

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, celebrated the investiture of four postulants as well as the first profession of a novice on Wednesday, 6 January 2010, the Feast of the Epiphany, during Pontifical Mass sung by Bishop Finn of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. Kansas Catholic has images of the occasion (investiture part I, investiture part II, first profession, Pontifical Mass). Here are some impressions:






The sisters pursue as their apostolate the making of vestments, reappropriating traditional techniques, a most worthwhile undertaking. They made this cappa magna for bishop Finn:

Note: You can find more photos at the site Kansas Catholic.

(reproduced, with permission, from The New Liturgical Movement)

Benedictines of Mary - investitute

On Tuesday, January 6, 2009, the Feast of the Epiphany, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, a traditional community in the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph (MO), had a novice make her first profession of vows and also had the investiture in the Benedictine Habit of four postulants. This happened at the Oratory of Old Saint Patrick in Kansas City, MO.

The Kansas Catholic blog has reproduced some photos from the Holy Mass (extraordinary form), celebrated by His Excellency Robert W. Finn, as well as the profession of Sister Grace of the Merciful Face of Jesus and the investiture of the four postulants:-

The Sisters' website is here, whilst one can view more photos at Kansas Catholic.

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

(Continuing our look at Traditional Communities, we turn now to the Benedictines of Mary, also known as the Oblates of Mary, in Massachusetts.)

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles is a traditional monastic community of women who desire to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary in the giving of herself to God to fulfill His Will, especially in her role of assistance by prayer and work to the Apostles, first priests of the Catholic Church.

Originally established in the diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the congregation now operates in that of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri. The congregation is now eleven years old, and is dedicated to the imitation of Our Lady's retirement from the world in quiet seclusion, as well as her apostolic charity.

Unmarried Catholic women of sound mind and body with spiritual maturity, ages 16 through 30 may begin a correspondence with Mother Therese regarding a vocation to the religious life. She will send a series of questionnaires, and will possibly allow for the opportunity to spend at least a week's time experiencing our life of prayer and work within the enclosure.

Serious inquirers may write to:

• Priory of Our Lady of Ephesus
  Reverend Mother Therese
  1400 NE 42nd Terrace
  Kansas City, Missouri 64116
  www.benedictinesofmary.org