Rite of Religious Profession – Part II

The most common and best known form of religious dedication is that of sisters or nuns, and brothers and religious order priests.  The dedication rites for both men and women occur through a series of celebrations spread over a number of years.  This is rather similar to the progression of rites in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

With the approval of the Church, each religious family adapts the rites to their own spirit and culture.  Since each Rite is a deepening of the baptismal call the preferred time to celebrate these rites is during the Easter season.  

Initial Rites

Religious Sisters & Brothers 

1.

There is an initial rite of welcome into the particular community to which the person has been attracted through a calling from God and familiarity with that group.  This prayer for God’s grace to guide and sustain the person is usually celebrated in a simple form with a small community of the religious family present.  It may take place during the Liturgy of the Hours.

2.

After a period of living with a community and undergoing a time of formation and education in that particular way of life, the community celebrates the ‘first or temporary profession’.  This means that the person vows their life to God within the religious community for a limited period, usually about three years.  This celebration may take place after the Gospel, within the Eucharist, but without special solemnity.  

It may also occur during a Liturgy of the Word or during Morning or Evening Prayer. Usually the person is presented with some particular sign of their new belonging to the community, such as insignia or a badge.  

 3.

Temporary profession may be renewed for up to nine years if the person and the community are still unsure whether this is the right life choice.  Options are provided in the Sacramentary for the renewal of vows.

Rite of Final Profession

4.

The public celebration of final profession takes place after the person and religious community have come to a mutual acceptance that the person is ready to vow commitment for life.  Preferably, this takes place in the presence of members of the religious community, their family and parish members.  

‘Sufficient announcement should be made to the faithful of the date and time so that they may attend in greater numbers.’ 

(Rite of Religious Profession B42)

The outline of the rite is similar in structure to all rites of blessing or commitment, with particular inclusions related to religious life.  This, of course, includes the Profession of Vows by the religious and the official signing of these vows, as is done in the Rite of Marriage.  

Most religious ‘vow to God poverty, chastity, and obedience’. (RRP 62) Sometimes a further vow is made related to the individual ministry of the community such as ‘care for the poor’.  Benedictine community members take their traditional vows of conversion, stability of life, and obedience which encompass the call to follow Jesus ‘chaste, poor, and obedient.’

A further rite is provided for those who lead a community as an abbot or abbess.  These rites are celebrated infrequently in our Australian context since we have a very small number of communities led by an abbott or abbess.

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This article was originally published in ‘Vocations & Ministry.  ©  Diocese of Parramatta.  2005, 2007. Reprinted with permission.