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CELEBRATION of the FINAL PROFESSION OF VOWS of SISTER ERISA LEE CELEBRATED in SEOUL, KOREA 5 OCTOBER 2012 |
FINAL PROFESSION CEREMONY of SISTER ERISA LEE
Mass Readings: Genesis 12: 1-9, Resp. Psalm ‘Here I Am, Lord’; 2nd Reading: 2 Cor 12:5-10; Gospel John 2: 1-12
Sister Erisa pronounced her Final Vows in her home parish, Sung San Dong Parish, Seoul, in the presence of a large parish community on Friday, 5th October 2012. The local parish choir was in full voice to mark this special occasion
The local Bishop, Peter Ki Heon Lee, a long time friend of the Lee family, officiated at the Mass and the Profession Ceremony. He was assisted by the parish priest, Fr Anthoney YeonBum Kim and his curate. Other friends of Erisa’s – local diocesan priests and Columban Fathers – also assisted at the ceremony. Four Korean Columban seminarians acted as altar servers.
Sister Ann Gray led the Interrogatory with all of the Columban Sisters present responding wholeheartedly to Erisa’s request that she be accepted for Perpetual Profession in the Congregation. Following the Examination by the Bishop, the Homily and the singing of the Litanies, Erisa pronounced her Vows before the altar. The altar backdrop, as seen in the photographs, depicts St Andrew Kim and the many Korean Martyrs.
After Sister Ann had given Erisa the ring in which her motto “You will be a blessing” is inscribed, Erisa led the singing of Ave Maria: As I knell before you… and we, her Sisters, joined her in the chorus.
Erisa’s parents, sister, aunt and friends brought forward the gifts for the Offertory.
After the Communion there was a slide presentation on Mission and Missionary Life prepared by Erisa out of her experience as a Columban Sister missioned in Peru.
It has to be acknowledged that the parish priest took great care in preparing for the ceremony with those immediately involved (hence the ‘informal’ photos in the Photo Gallery; also before the Mass, when all of the Columban Sisters gathered in Seoul joined in a final rehearsal.
The reception was held in the basement dining facilities of the parish where a very varied menu was provided. The cutting of the cake and the toast took place before the meal!
