Recently one of our Sisters made her Solemn Profession. Part of the ritual within the Mass is a series of questions. For me, the most poignant question is “Are you now resolved to offer the total gift of yourself to Christ in love…and to persevere in it forever?” While the formation years were a time of planting and blossoming (challenging though they were), Solemn Profession is the real deal. Ministry, community, service, deeper prayer, harder response to realities no matter in whatever form they come. There’s a Day One called Solemn Profession. The heart is full, the ritual inspiring, the music beautiful, the food and festivity unmatched. The community prays for its solemnly vowed sister: “May our Good God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.” Day Two, Week 45, Year 10, Year 61… All will be well, because we prayed on this day: “Sustain her, O Lord.” May the undercurrent of her every day be her continued “Yes, Lord.”