Celebrating Franciscan Sister Concepción’s First Profession of Vows

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie congratulates Sister Concepción Medina on the morning of her First Profession. Read the greeting given at a special Sunday breakfast.  Next, watch moments of the First Profession Liturgy. See below.

A special good morning to you, Sister Concepción, your Sisters in Community, Father Jerry and Father Placid on this 14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We have come together today to celebrate God’s Love! Sister Concepción, that is the title you chose when you were received two years ago, a title that you have aspired to live.

When you wrote to me, asking permission to profess your First Vows as a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity, you wrote that God called you to this life of Consecration out of love. His grace led you through the Novitiate and in your words, “His gifts never stop.” Your relationship with Our Lord is a priority in your life. This supports your sincere desire to respond to God’s call to serve Him.

During your time of Novitiate, you discovered a love that has caused you to pause and take note. It has been a love that has given so much, a love that has exceeded your expectation. Following the advice of Saint Gemma Galgani, you have had challenges and sufferings, which you joined to the sufferings of Jesus and the Cross that He bore. Jesus is teaching you to love as He loved, with compassion and in mercy.

This afternoon, in the Gospel of St. Matthew 11:25-30, we will hear Jesus praising His Father for revealing things to the childlike, to those who are open to receive His truth. He tells us that no one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Jesus wants to reveal the Father for He goes on to tell us to come to Him, to learn from Him and to find rest. This is a profound invitation on this Profession Day.

In joy we will proclaim Psalm 145: 1-2 with you, “I will extol you, my God and King; I will bless your name forever! Everyday I will bless you; I will praise your name forever!” For some people, this is a Sunday in Ordinary time, however, for you, Sister Concepción, and for all the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, it is far from ordinary! Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, we regret that your biological family is not able to be here, celebrating this profound event in your life. They are here in spirit and we remember to pray for them as we pray for you. Congratulations! God bless you! Enjoy the celebration with your Sisters!