In the spirit of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we remember Mother Joseph Butler’s profession in Porto, Portugal, on April 22, 1880. We share an excerpt from Mother Butler of Marymount by Katherine Burton, which beautifully describes this moment. May her witness continue to inspire openness to God’s call in our lives.
The time had come now when she was to make her first Profession. The ceremony was simple, as had been the reception in Béziers. On April 22, 1880, she walked with other novices, to the altar of the chapel at Oporto. With them she answered the priest’s question:
“Are you determined to observe during your whole life the Holy Vows you are about to take?”
“Yes, Reverend Father,” they answered, “with the help of God’s grace.”
When the vows had been pronounced, the celebrant said to them. “And I, on the part of God and conformably to His inviolable promise, if you are faithful to these engagements, I promise you a better life-Life Eternal.”
Illustration by Claude Chopy