On the 6th August 2016, the Feast of the Transfiguration, Sister Catherine of Christ OCD made her First Profession of Temporary Vows at the Carmelite Monastery of Christ the King.
The main celebrant, Fr Clarence Trinkle from Washington DC, who guided Sr Catherine towards the contemplative life, was joined by six other priests at the altar.
In his homily Fr Trinkle said:
“…Sr Catherine is climbing a different mountain – St. John of the Cross’ Ascent of Mt Carmel. And it’s a treacherous one. But she is not alone. She has answered a call from her Beloved to be his bride forever. In her nuptial exchange she will say, ‘I do’. It can be said of Sr. Catherine from God the Father, ‘This is my chosen daughter, follow her example of total surrender to me, seeking me alone, and all else I will give to you.’ It is said in the letter to the Colossians, primarily referring to baptism, ‘For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears then you too will appear with him in glory.’ Sr Catherine’s life is more hidden from the world, not a flight from it, but a journey to God in the desert of Carmel as a profound selfless act of love for her brothers and sisters, for whom she prays night and day, year after year, until she leaves this world, for the salvation of all. Her hidden life of prayer and penance is for priests as well, all of us backed in the person of Christ, that we may lead lives worthy of our calling…”
“A Carmelite nun does not choose Carmel for or by herself. God does the choosing. And it says in Scripture, ‘You did not choose me, I chose you.’ And that goes for all of us. God chose us first. He loved us first. And will love us for all eternity.”
The ceremony was televised by Sunday TV1 on August 14th, as an update to their May 1st segment on life within the Monastery, which featured Sr Catherine still in a time of discernment regarding her vocation in Carmel.
The TV programme has generated much positive response over the last months since it aired.
We ask God’s blessing on Sister Catherine as she begins her life as a professed Sister, and we thank all those who have supported her on this journey with their prayers.
The main celebrant, Fr Clarence Trinkle from Washington DC, who guided Sr Catherine towards the contemplative life, was joined by six other priests at the altar.
In his homily Fr Trinkle said:
“…Sr Catherine is climbing a different mountain – St. John of the Cross’ Ascent of Mt Carmel. And it’s a treacherous one. But she is not alone. She has answered a call from her Beloved to be his bride forever. In her nuptial exchange she will say, ‘I do’. It can be said of Sr. Catherine from God the Father, ‘This is my chosen daughter, follow her example of total surrender to me, seeking me alone, and all else I will give to you.’ It is said in the letter to the Colossians, primarily referring to baptism, ‘For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears then you too will appear with him in glory.’ Sr Catherine’s life is more hidden from the world, not a flight from it, but a journey to God in the desert of Carmel as a profound selfless act of love for her brothers and sisters, for whom she prays night and day, year after year, until she leaves this world, for the salvation of all. Her hidden life of prayer and penance is for priests as well, all of us backed in the person of Christ, that we may lead lives worthy of our calling…”
“A Carmelite nun does not choose Carmel for or by herself. God does the choosing. And it says in Scripture, ‘You did not choose me, I chose you.’ And that goes for all of us. God chose us first. He loved us first. And will love us for all eternity.”
The ceremony was televised by Sunday TV1 on August 14th, as an update to their May 1st segment on life within the Monastery, which featured Sr Catherine still in a time of discernment regarding her vocation in Carmel.
The TV programme has generated much positive response over the last months since it aired.
We ask God’s blessing on Sister Catherine as she begins her life as a professed Sister, and we thank all those who have supported her on this journey with their prayers.