On the afternoon of Saturday, May 9, the church of the Royal Monastery of the Visitation of Our Lady, known as Saint Elizabeth, of the contemplative Augustinian Recollect Nuns in Madrid (Spain), was adorned and well illuminated to host the emotional celebration of the first profession of Sister María José de León, originally from Guatemala, who was thus welcomed by the community as a simple professed nun.
As soon as five o’clock struck in the afternoon, the chords of Solo a ti (Only to You) were heard, a song composed by the Augustinian Recollect singer-songwriter and composer José Manuel González Durán, and performed by the religious of the Saint Augustine Formation House of the Augustinian Recollects in Las Rozas (Madrid), who gave voice to the liturgical music of the celebration.
The thurifer led the entrance procession, followed by Sister María José, accompanied by the prioress of the community, María Teresa Arakkal, and the mistress of novices and junior sisters, Smitha Velikkakathott. Behind them came the concelebrants, and bringing up the rear was the president, Carlos González, provincial prior of the Augustinian Recollect Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentine.
Once the altar servers were in their places and the initial incensing of the altar and the crucifix had been done, the rites of the Eucharistic celebration began, which were carried out with care and reverence.
The choir contributed to the solemnity and joy of the Liturgy of the Word by singing the Kyrie, the Gloria, the responsorial psalm, and the Alleluia. The congregation, which completely filled the church, joined in, creating a very solemn liturgical atmosphere.
After the proclamation of the gospel and before the homily, the rite of calling was performed, in which Maria Jose publicly expressed her desire to be admitted to the monastery and to dedicate herself to God through the profession of the evangelical counsels.
In his homily, the president emphasized the need for detachment in the Christian life and, even more so, in the consecrated life. He alluded to the Gospel reading of the day, enriching his commentary with texts from Saint Augustine, and referred to the Holy Spirit, from whom comes the light and strength to live the Christian life and religious consecration faithfully.
The rite of profession followed. Maria Jose proclaimed her intention to keep the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience before the prioress; she read the formula of her profession, written in her own hand in the book of professions begun in 1590; now professed, she was given the veil and the book of the Rule and Constitutions of the Augustinian Recollect Nuns; and the mistress of novices placed a crown of white flowers on her head.
During the Prayer of the Faithful, special prayers were offered for the newly professed nun, that she might remain faithful and joyful in living her vows within the community of the Augustinian Recollect nuns of Saint Elizabeth. The Eucharistic liturgy then continued as usual.
After the final blessing and a few words of congratulations from the president of the celebration to the new professed nun and the Recollect community, the fervent silence that had reigned throughout the entire celebration was broken by a loud and prolonged applause for María José.
The guests were treated to a reception where, among the variety of foods, the tempting and abundant pastries, made in the monastery itself, stood out. The prioress, the novice mistress, and the newly professed nun were among those present at the reception.
After saying goodbye, the three returned to the other nine sisters in their community, who had followed the celebration from the lower choir, where they spend so many hours daily in prayer praising God and praying for the Church and for the whole world.
