The Bridegroom and His Brides

I just got back from the mass celebrating the first profession of vows for 14 religious sisters who are continuing their journey with the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. After the sisters made their vows, they received a blessed veil. After going back to the sacristy to put on their veils, they came out with the most radiant, beautiful smiles-like 14 brides who had just pledged their love and life to their bridegroom. And that is truly what happened! These women pledged their love and life in the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to Jesus Christ for as longas they live. That is a radical response to a radical call.

Bishop Daniel Flores, an auxilary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit celebrated the mass. He said in his homily that the world has not given up the notion of a single-minded life, but it has given up hope that a single-minded life is actually possible. That really resonated with me. There is so much to choose from and filter in this world overflowing with activity, information and images on the internet, television, in the mall, and in the workplace. Even in my life at home, I feel tugged at by the dishes, unpacked boxes, laundry, painting, the dog, my husband, the phone, and our baby growing inside me that demands food, sleep, and the restroom at some inopportune times. But when I see these women who are willing to give it all, body and soul, to the call to be a religious sister, I am reminded that a single-minded life devoted to Christ IS possible and worth striving for.