On March 19, 2022, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph Spouse of Mary, Sister Maria Kolbe Schaeffer and Sister Mary Francesca professed their perpetual vows of chastity, poverty and obedience as Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Following are excerpts from the homily of the Most Reverend, Carl A. Kemme, Bishop of Wichita:

Sister Maria Kolbe and Sister Mary Francesca are being wed to their beloved Spouse, to none other than Christ himself.  As a bride of Christ, they are laying down their lives for him and He for them, joined now in a perpetual bond that can never be broken, symbolizing the unending bond of Christ to humanity.  From this day forward, they will call Jesus their Bridegroom and strive to be faithful to Him in all things, knowing that His fidelity is perfect and unalterable.

For their commitment they will be given joys untold and blessings beyond our ability to measure.

Sisters, today you will be given a ring which you will wear until the day of your entrance into eternal life.  This ring has no end and so too your vows and your commitment.  Spouses wear these rings as a sign of the decision they have made to love until the very end.  The same must be true of you.  As you wear these rings, day in and day out, and as the years mark themselves one by one, let the ring be a powerful symbol of this day when you gave it all for Christ, who has given His all for you.

Finally, why do the likes of us, sinful as we are, do all of this, by entering into lifelong vocations for which we are naturally so unqualified and unworthy…?  The answer comes to us today in the very ritual and it is a part of this ceremony that I personally love, almost the most.  After the Sisters personally and individually make their perpetual vows and then together promise to seek perfect charity in the religious institute they propose to join and imploring the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Mother Mary Magdalene says these most telling words:  “And I in the name of our Religious Institute, receive your vows with joy.  If you observe them faithfully, you are promised eternal life.”  Eternal life.  Imagine that, life without end, life with Mary, with Joseph, with all the angels and saints, with all those who have fulfilled their vocations before God; life with Jesus, a beloved spouse and friend.  Life without war, disease, conflict and strife, life with a joy nothing on this side of heaven comes even close to!  It seems to me, that and that alone makes it all worthy and worthwhile.