Rosary Sisters profess vows
JERUSALEM – On August 15, Sisters of the Rosary professed their vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience during the Mass of the Assumption presided by Patriarch Fouad Twal in Beit Hanina. Three Sisters professed perpetual vows and five made temporary vows.
The Sisters of the Congregation of the Rosary professed their vows with great excitement, secure in the support of the Virgin Mary on this her feast day of the Assumption. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic liturgy who as well presided over the profession of vows. Concelebrants were Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, and Bishop Kamal Bathish, Auxiliary Bishop-emeritus and more than a dozen priests of the Latin Patriarchate. The three sisters, who made his perpetual profession of vows were: Bal’at Claudette, Rita Haddad and Dalia Attieh while five made temporary vows.
In his homily (test in English), the Patriarch spoke about the significance of the vows, that they “are not the end but a means to help the religious to be closer to God.”
The vow of chastity
“The vow of chastity,” explained the Patriarch, “is to elevate the human nature towards perfection.” The Patriarch did not fail to remember the Blessed Marie Alphonsine, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary by describing her as an edifying example of chastity and holiness.
The vow of poverty
The vow of poverty is required by the Church and is directed to material poverty for spiritual enrichment. To separate from our properties enables us to increase our “reaches in God.” This poverty reminds us “that the first Christian communities were able to share their wealth with their brothers and with each other as one family.”
The vow of obedience
“The vow of obedience, is the fruit of freedom” – said the Patriarch, the “sign of the love of God and trust in superiors, as well as the Son is subject to the Father in love.” His Beatuitude concluded his homily by congratulating the religious women and reminding them that they are not alone because the God who called them to surrender to Him will never leave them alone, “I am with you all the days until the end of the world.”
After the ceremony, the community invited those present to a convivial moment, during which the Patriarch, the Bishops, priests and all present congratulated the Sisters, the community and the Mother General, Mother Ines Al-Yacoub.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Rosary, also known as “ Wardiyye ”is the only religious community entirely Arab in the Holy Land. It was founded in 1880 by Father Joseph Tannous, then chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate and Sister Marie Alphonsine, who was beatified in 2009. The Sisters number 289 and are present in the Diocese, operating numerous schools, hospitals and universities throughout the Middle East: Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Rome.
Amélie de La Hougue
