What's in a Name?
23 October 2007
One of our readers asked us how we are going to deal with TWO Sr. Mary Catherine of Jesus' in the monastery. We quickly found that it causes a lot of confusion!
So tonight, we had a little cermony during which Sr. Mary Martin gave to Sr. Catherine her new name as a member of our monastery.
After a short exhortation by Bl. Jordan and a prayer Sr. Mary Martin made the big announcement which everyone listened to with baited breath:
In the world you were known as
Sandra Sue Hale
As you began your religious life in the
Dominican Family, consecrated fully to God through Perpetual Vows
you were known as
Sister Mary Catherine of Jesus, OP
Now, as you begin your life in the
Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary,
preparing for Solemn Profession as a
Nun of the Order of Preachers
You will be known as
Sister Mary Amata of Jesus, OP
October 23, 2007
There was a round of applause. It was obvious everyone was happy with Sister's new name. Now we have to REMEMBER it! An Ave for each mistake!
Below is a copy of the announcement Sr. Mary Amata was given. The edges were decoratively torn and it was mounted on dark red linen coverstock.
13 comments:
I'm confused. Sister Mary Amata transferred from another monastery. She had made perpetual vows. Now, she is in the noviate.
Please clarify. Thanks.
Maureen
Maureen, the previous post where we introduced Sr. Mary Amata explained about Sister.
When a sister or nun from another congregation comes to the a Dominican monastery she has to make a novitiate. She's still in perpetual vows, though, preparing for Solemn Profession in 4-5 years.
Still confusing?
Quick question. Do the nuns get to pick their new names or is there a specific way each name is chosen?
Yeah...I'm still a little confused, myself. I understand why a professed nun would have to make a novitiate - she and the community need to make sure they "fit" but...oh, I don't know! :-)
Dear Sister,
Yup, I'm still confused. I thought Mt. Thabor was a monastic community. Wouldn't a transfer between monasteries just be a simple change of place?
Maureen
Mt Thabor Monastery is a monastic community and part of the Dominican Family but they are not Nuns of the Order of Preachers. They are a diocesan approved contemplative community that follows its own constitutions and has a different Profession and manner of governement. As stated above and in the orginal post introducing Sister, ANY nun coming from another institute, even if she is in Solemn Vows, is required according to our Constitutions to make a canonical novitiate of 1 year.
Going from one monastery to another (say from Bronx to Summit) is a TRANSFILIATION. Going from one Institute to another is called a TRANSFER.
It might be useful to explain the difference between solemn profession and perpetual vows, Sister. There is a canonical distinction most of us would not understand.
Congratulations to Sister Mary Amata -- a beautiful name! May she find joy with the Sisters in Summit.
And of course, "Amata Means Beloved"!
I think Amata is a beautiful name. Congratulations!
-christina
And what a blessing to your other novitiate sisters to have Sr. Mary Amata among them!
When I lived in Buffalo, the Prioress there was a very inspirational and beloved woman: Mother Mary Amata. Is there a connection? Any information on Mother Amata current health?
Thank You!
An Old Friend
An old friend (Anonymous): if you ever get this (7 months late) the former prioress of the Buffalo monastery, Sister Mary Amata of the Child Jesus, died on July 4th, 2006. RIP.
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