The Poor Clare Sisters in Sauk Rapids celebrated the first profession of Sister Maria Chiara Willenbring during a special ceremony Sept. 12. Bishop Patrick Neary presided at the Mass joined by Fathers Aaron Nett, Matthew Crane and Doug Liebsch. Sister Maria Chiara made her profession before Mother Mary Matthew Tomczyk, abbess of the cloistered monastery, and during the profession rite she received the black veil, the book of the Rule of St. Clare and the book of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Dianne, great pics of a very sacred time and occasion for all Poor Clares, and their cloistered yet crucial contribution to the Body of Christ! I had the absolute honor of joining a Poor Clare at the bedside of her sister colleague as she prepared to die and transition to heaven a few years ago.