In the eyes of God, the smaller and more hidden things in this life are often those of the greatest moment in the sight of eternity. Such we witnessed yesterday, when a young woman offered her life to God in religious life, publicly professing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, her whole life and soul, in the order of the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate.
The Mass was joyous, celebrated by Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki, with ethereal chant and polyphony from the schola of the Sisters (with Sister Bernadette playing the majestic organ beautifully).
Sister Marie-Therese proclaimed her vows and her intentions boldly, with confidence, later claiming that this was one of the happiest days of her life.
I am not sure if Sister was the only one in Canada making her final profession, but even if not, she is one of very, very few who have received and responded to such a religious vocation, which Saint Philip Neri described as the greatest gift Our Lady could offer to a soul.
I was honoured to be there, to participate spiritually, and to have had some small part in teaching Sister Marie-Therese in her years as a student at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College.
May there be many more young women (and men) who respond to the call of God in such a generous way, for the future of Canada and the world depends far more upon such hidden things, than what seems great in the world’s eyes.
Saint Stephen, ora pro nobis.