Happy News!

July is well upon us as well as its beautiful weather. Last Saturday, July 1, we at our Boston convent had the joy of welcoming three new professed Sisters into our ranks. The day before the three novices received the blessed habit of the Daughters of St. Paul at the morning Mass.

Our three novices Sisters Julie Turner, Putri Mamesah, and Danielle Lussier pronounced their first vows for one year among the Daughters of St. Paul. Relatives and guests of the Sisters were welcomed at our St. Thecla Retreat House in Billerica, Mass.

There were 13 children present under the age of 6 (including a few under the age of 2 months!) Usually I remain tear free during most of our religious celebrations. This year I found myself reaching for tissues to dry my tears of joy. Each of the three Sisters addressed the congregation in the crowded chapel telling the main reason they were consecrating themselves entirely to God. Their joy was contagious. I pray that the witness of these beautiful young women giving up promising careers and the possibility of having their own families in exchange for the closer following of Jesus will draw many to consider religious life. Their witness offers credibility to the Gospel of Joy which Pope Francis asks all of us Catholic Christians to proclaim first with our lives.

The artistic motif chosen by the three Sisters was the sunflower. The program booklet had a big sunflower on its cover, and the dining room table decorations included sunflowers even on the napkins. Our Founder, Blessed James Alberione wrote: "That like the sunflower which turns to always face the sun, so we must always follow the sun of the Will of God." After the Sisters made their vows, the three stood in the sanctuary as the Magnificat was sung in thanksgiving. Then a procession of about a dozen of the children who each carried a large sunflower. The three new Sisters gathered them and placed them in vases in front of the statue of Our Lady, Queen of Apostles.

After visiting their families for some time, each of the three Sisters will join one of our smaller communities here in the USA. Rejoice with us as these young Sisters begin their Pauline life of self donation for the sake of the gospel. Pray too that other young women will be inspired to follow Jesus as they did. By the way, about 15 young women spent tha weekend with us and witnessed the Profession ceremony. During this July we pray especially in honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus. In every Mass we are offered the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. May those who somehow abstain from the Mass return and enjoy all the benefits of this holy renewal of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.