SR. MARIA THERESA - FIRST VOWS
On December 8, 2012, Sr. Theresa pronounced her first vows as a religious of the Visitation of Holy Mary during a beautiful Mass in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi was the main celebrant, assisted by Fr. Methodius Telnack, OCSO, of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia, and Fr. Dan Good of St. Mary's Church in Mobile. Fr. Methodius, who has been a friend of Sister for over fifty years, gave the homily, highlighting significant moments in Sister's life that culminated in her call to the monastery.
During the ceremony which followed the homily, the superior, Mother Margaret Mary Rumpf, received Sister's vows to live in poverty, chastity, and obedience for three years, and then Sister received the cross of profession, a copy of the Constitutions of the Order, and her religious name, Maria Theresa, which is also her baptismal name. Her five daughters, with husbands and children attended the profession and visited with Sister and the community in the parlor afterward.
Pictures were taken by Sister Maria Theresa's family and Larry Wahl of the Catholic Week.
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| Fr. Methodius preaches the homily. | Archbishop Rodi calls Sister to her vows. |
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| Mother Margaret Mary and Archbishop Rodi witness as the newly-professed sister signs her vows. | Archbishop Rodi and Fr. Methodius greet Sr. Maria Theresa in the parlor during the reception after the profession Mass. |
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| The community joins in the festive visit. | The Archbishop and Fr. Methodius meet with Sister and her five daughters. |
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| The whole family gathers for photos with the Archbishop and Fr. Methodius. |