Last weekend we joined Steve's family in New York for the final vow ceremony of his niece, Kensie, now better known as Sister Mary Pieta of the Divine Mercy. Not being a member of the Catholic faith, I went with a large measure of curiosity and prepared to learn a lot. I was happy to be included in this most important occasion.
While I did learn a lot about the Catholic faith, I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact this ceremony had on me. Five young women took vows to commit themselves to their faith, and essentially, to become the brides of Christ. The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, who is, in his own right, kind of a big deal in Catholic circles. I am sure he would beg to disagree, as I found him to be quite down to earth and humble.
I was raised in a protestant church, a Bible church--somewhat similar to Baptist in its beliefs, and while we had our rituals, they weren't as far-reaching as those of the Catholic Church. Later in my life, I visited various churches trying to find a home, all of them either Baptist or something very close. After my divorce, my kids and I started going to an Episcopal church down the street from where we lived. Mainly because my kids had many friends at the church and it wasn't such a struggle to get them to go to church. What I found, though, was that I rather liked the ritual and the customs. Not because I felt they were necessary to my beliefs, but because they prompted me to think about the reason for my beliefs. I am sure many of my friends in the Baptist church will disagree with me, but I have come to feel over the years that religions are very similar in their origins and actually share many commonalities. So....I no longer associate myself with one particular religion, but I do have my beliefs and I do consider myself a spiritual person.
Anyway, I digress.....back to Lady Liberty and the Sister.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit to become a Spouse of Christ
and desiring to live the Gospel more intensely
in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, I,
Sr. Mary Pieta of the Divine Mercy,
vow and promise to Almighty God, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to our Holy Father, Saint Francis,
to our Holy Mother, Saint Clare,
and to you, Your Eminence,
to observe for my entire life,
the rule of Saint Francis of Assisi,
confirmed by our lord, Pope Honorius,
as interpreted in the Constitutions
of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal,
living in obedience, without property,
in poverty and in chastity.
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883
Lady Liberty stands for freedom, the concept on which our country was founded. This past weekend I had the opportunity to lay eyes on her for the first time. It was unexpectedly emotional. I tell you this because I am making a parallel here.
Sister Mary Pieta is another "Lady Liberty." She serves in east Harlem, New York at a convent in the "hood." She stands for Christ in her commitment to serve the poor. I am touched and moved by both of these ladies for their commitment to what is good, and right, and in Sister's case, holy. I applaud their passion and their compassion, and even today as I write this, I am moved to tears to be part of something that is bigger than myself and that touches the lives of many for the betterment of all. So God bless both of you ladies!
