Five young women from three countries received the religious habit of the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest upon the completion of their postulant years. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Luciano Giovannetti, Bishop Emeritus of Fiesole, Italy, presided over the ceremony, which was held in the beautiful baroque Church of Ss. Michael and Cajetan in Florence on March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church.
Accompanied by their fathers or by an older brother, the five postulants processed into the church dressed in bridal gowns which symbolize their mystical marriage with Christ, the Divine Spouse. After the inspiring sermon of Bishop Giovannetti, the postulants each professed their commitment to living the religious life according to the Constitutions of the Sisters Adorers. As they knelt at the foot of the altar, the Sisters offered a prayer of adoration to God. Then they invoked the help of their holy patrons, St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, St. Margaret Mary, St. Benedict, and St. Thomas Aquinas, asking for the necessary grace to be faithful to this sacred engagement in the service of the Church.
The Bishop next cut some locks of hair from each Sister. This sign of their self-sacrifice manifests their desire to leave the vanities and the life of the world in order to be completely and totally consecrated to God. Their desire is to please Him alone. Having solemnly blessed the religious habits of each postulant, the Bishop then placed the white veil of novice upon the head of each sister with the practical assistance of the Reverend Mother.
Having then exited the church in order to be clothed in the blessed habits, the newly clad novices reenter the church and kneel once again at the foot of the altar in the presence of the Bishop. One by one they receive from His Excellency a lit candle, which symbolizes the burning love and zeal which they should have for Christ in the service of His Church.
Following in the long-standing religious tradition, each Sister receives from the Prior General of the Institute a new name along with her habit. This name expresses the mission of her new vocation, offering a specific mystery for her lifelong contemplation and special patrons for her daily prayer and imitation.
Two of the new Sisters came to know the Institute through their participation in the life of apostolates in the United States. Sister Joseph-Marie of the Sovereign Sacrifice was a member of the community of faithful at the Shrine of Christ the King in Chicago, Illinois, while Sister Ivitza-Marie of the Mercy of the Royal Heart comes from St. Mary's Oratory in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Sister Justine-Marie of the Love of the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Sister Philomena-Marie of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary both come from Germany, while Sister Thérèse-Marie of the Pierced Heart of Christ the King is a native of France.
Please pray in thanksgiving to God for these five Sisters, as well as for their perseverance in their vocation. You can be sure that they remember your intentions in their prayers at the holy altar of the Most Sacred and Royal Heart of Christ our King.
Four new postulants have also been recently admitted to the Sisters Adorers, two of whom come from the United States.