The first profession this spring was that of Miss Geraldine Maldonado, born in Puerto Rico and currently directress of Miles Jesu’s ladies’ Rome community. The profession was scheduled in January to take place on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19. No one, of course, had foreseen the historic events to take place in the intervening weeks but the many members of Geraldine’s family who crossed the Atlantic to be with her for her profession of final vows also had the joy of being present in Rome for Pope Francis’ inauguration. As a matter of fact they, as well as the community members, were even able to be present in St. Peter’s square for the jubilant announcement on March 13, “Habemus Papam!”. Geraldine made her profession at the Miles Jesu community house in Rome. Her vows were received by our Commissary, Fr. Barry Fischer.
Below, Geraldine shares some of her thoughts and memories from the day of her perpetual vows.
We began the day with morning prayers, then together watched the installation ceremony of the Pope. The ceremony of my profession was at 4:00 p.m. I was very happy and at the same time a little nervous, but during the litany of the saints [part of the profession ceremony, where the one professing lies prostrate before the altar while the congregation invokes the saints], I felt a deep peace and joy and I started giving thanks to Our Lord for choosing me to be His spouse. Then when I was reading the formula of profession, I was so calm that I read very slowly, thinking and meditating in every word of the formula. I was even surprised by the depth of the peace and calm I felt! It’s a little difficult for me to describe the feelings of that moment. All the ceremony was so beautiful and full of joy. I consecrated my life to Our Lord many years ago, but the day of perpetual profession was very special in my life.
During that day Jesus was giving me many gifts: first His gift to be His spouse in the sight of the Church; of my family by blood and my family by faith sharing this day with me, the same day the Pope was receiving his ring on his installation day; and after many days of rain, that day was sunny and fresh as springtime….and all the graces and blessings received with my vows! Everything that day was so beautiful. It was a splendid day!
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