Sister Mary Louise Professes Vows
There was cause for great rejoicing at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Andale on May 3, 2025. Sister Mary Louise Seiler, IHM, professed her First Vows into the hands of Mother Cecilia Marie Hammersley during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Professing to live the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience for one year, Sister Mary Louise commenced her life as a Bride of Christ.
Sister Mary Louise is a daughter of St. Joseph’s Parish in Andale, having received her Baptism there 24 years prior. Sister was raised by Theodore Seiler and Debra Hawkins. She attended Hutchinson Community College and Emporia State University before entering the convent on August 14, 2022. Sister was received as a novice on February 11, 2023, taking Our Lady as her primary patroness and St. Louis de Montfort as her secondary patron. Following her profession of vows, Sr. Mary Louise will return to college this Fall to complete her degree in Secondary Education, Biology.
The Profession Mass was celebrated by the IHM Sisters’ chaplain, Father John Hay. Father Hay’s homily centered around the mystery of vocation, reminding Sister Mary Louise that “you have been chosen, and chosen for the most sacred service of all: to live for heaven and remind everyone by your way of life of what Leon Bloy said so well many years ago: ‘the only tragedy in life is not to become a saint.’”
Father Hay went on to entrust Sister Mary Louise, and each of those called to consecrated life, to the perfect example – Mary. As Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Father Hay reminded the Sisters that they “can take no better model than Mary for such an endeavor [union with God]. Mary, who without perfect understanding, said, fiat, may this be done to me as you, God, desire.”
Professing one’s vows involves not only an internal change, but an external one as well. The evening before her profession, Sister received the blue dress of the habit, along with a cincture, a crucifix, and the rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. During Mass, after professing her vows, Sister Mary Louise received the scapular and the badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and her white veil was exchanged for black, symbolizing her total consecration.
Sister Mary Louise, joy evident in her person, remarks, “On the day of my vows, many of my Sisters asked for my prayers saying, ‘Jesus will not refuse His bride on her wedding day.’ It was a great blessing to hear such confidence in the power of my intercession, and now each time I receive an intention, I’m reminded of my new place in the life of the Church. As a bride of Christ, blessed to be set apart exclusively for Him, I look forward to offering my life and prayers as a gift to the Church.”
Postulant Enters IHM Novitiate
On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, postulant Meg Arnold became a novice with the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; this marks her official reception into the community.
She will now be known as Sr. Mary Karol, after Pope St. John Paul II. Sister was drawn to the great love the Pope had for our Lady, from his devotion to the Rosary to his motto "Totus Tuus"; he was definitely our Lady's Pope.
Sr. Mary Karol will be continuing her formation, preparing for her next step - profession of vows.
In the words of Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of the 42nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "To you, young people, I repeat the word of Jesus: "Duc in altum!". In proposing His exhortation once more to you, I think at the same time of the words which Mary, his Mother, addressed to the servants at Cana in Galilee: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2,5). Dear young people, Christ is asking you to "put out into the deep" and the Virgin Mary is encouraging you not to hesitate in following Him" (https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/vocations/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20040811_xlii-voc-2005.html)
IHM Novena 2025
Theme: The Immaculate Heart of Mary
Novena Talks
June 19 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Heart
Talk 1 - The Heart (print version)
June 20 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Flame of Charity
Talk 2 - The Flame (print version)
June 21 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Rose of Humility
Talk 3 - The Rose of Humility (print version)
June 22 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: Leading us to the Blessed Sacrament
Talk 4 - The Eucharist (print version)
June 23 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Rose of Obedience
Talk 5 - The Rose of Obedience (print version)
June 24 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Rose of Purity
Talk 6 - The Rose of Purity (print version)
June 25 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: the Sword
Talk 7 - The Sword (print version)
June 26 - Imitation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Talk 8 - Imitating Mary (print version)
June 27 - The Immaculate Heart of Mary: Union with the Sacred Heart
Talk 9 - Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart (print version)
Novena Prayer
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, ever Virgin!
O Heart most pure, most noble, most perfect image of the adorable Heart of Jesus!
We humbly entreat you to intercede for us and to obtain for us the favors we petition for in this novena, if it be the holy will of God to grant them, and if not, to ask for us whatever graces we most need.
(Pause for private intentions said in silence.)
We desire by this novena, which we offer in your honor, that you will always be, after the Heart of Jesus, the object of our love and devotion. Through your Immaculate Heart we offer to your divine Son all our thoughts, words and actions of this day and all our days.
We pray for Leo, our pope, for our bishops, for all priests and for the conversion of all sinners.
We beg your powerful intercession for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Through your maternal Heart, we ask God's blessings upon our families, upon all who have been good to us for the Lord's sake, for all the living and the dead who are dear to us and for all for whom we have been asked to pray.
V. Hail Mary…
R. Holy Mary…
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary,
R. Pray for us.
V. Refuge of Sinners,
R. Pray for us.
V. O Mary conceived without sin,
R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.
V. May Mary's Heart Immaculate,
R. Be forever praised.
On the last day of the novena, pray...
The Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, according to the heart of God, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, organ of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnate, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate in your conception, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, full of grace, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, throne of glory, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, most humble, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts according to the Heart of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
IHM Sister speaks on Discernment
Sr. Mary Monica, IHM featured on the Diocese of Salina Podcast speaking on the topic of Discernment.
May 13, 2025 - Our Lady of Fatima Procession
You are invited!
Saturday, April 19, 2025 - Sorrowful Mother Vigil
IHM Novena 2024
Theme: Prayer
Novena Talks
May 30 - The Rosary as a School of Prayer
Talk 1 - Rosary as a School of Prayer (print version)
May 31 - Praying throughout the Day
Talk 2 - Praying throughout the Day (print version)
June 1 - First Saturday Devotions
Talk 3 - First Saturday Devotions (print version)
June 2 - The Message of the Angel of Portugal
Talk 4 - Angel of Portugal (print version)
June 3 - The Memorare
Talk 5 - Talk 5 - Memorare (print version)
June 4 - Praying and Living in the Present Moment
Talk 6 - Present Moment (print version)
June 5 - Fiat: Seeking and Following God's Will
Talk 7 - Fiat with Our Lady (print version)
June 6 - Receiving and Living God's Mercy through Prayer
Talk 8 - Receiving and Living God's Mercy through Prayer (print version)
June 7 - Pondering in Mary's Heart
Talk 9 - Mary Pondered (print version)
Novena Prayer
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, ever Virgin!
O Heart most pure, most noble, most perfect image of the adorable Heart of Jesus!
We humbly entreat you to intercede for us and to obtain for us the favors we petition for in this novena, if it be the holy will of God to grant them, and if not, to ask for us whatever graces we most need.
(Pause for private intentions said in silence.)
We desire by this novena, which we offer in your honor, that you will always be, after the Heart of Jesus, the object of our love and devotion. Through your Immaculate Heart we offer to your divine Son all our thoughts, words and actions of this day and all our days.
We pray for Francis, our pope, for our bishops, for all priests and for the conversion of all sinners.
We beg your powerful intercession for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Through your maternal Heart, we ask God's blessings upon our families, upon all who have been good to us for the Lord's sake, for all the living and the dead who are dear to us and for all for whom we have been asked to pray.
V. Hail Mary…
R. Holy Mary…
V. Immaculate Heart of Mary,
R. Pray for us.
V. Refuge of Sinners,
R. Pray for us.
V. O Mary conceived without sin,
R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.
V. May Mary's Heart Immaculate,
R. Be forever praised.
On the last day of the novena, pray...
The Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, according to the heart of God, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, united to the Heart of Jesus, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, organ of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, sanctuary of the Divine Trinity, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, tabernacle of God Incarnate, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, immaculate in your conception, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, full of grace, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, blessed among all hearts, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, throne of glory, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, most humble, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, holocaust of Divine Love, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, fastened to the Cross with Jesus Crucified, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, hope of the agonizing, pray for us.
Heart of Mary, seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, meek and humble of Heart,
Make our hearts according to the Heart of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O most merciful God, who for the salvation of sinners and the refuge of the wretched, has made the Immaculate Heart of Mary most like in tenderness and pity to the Heart of Jesus, grant that we, who now commemorate her most sweet and loving heart, may by her merits and intercession, ever live in the fellowship of the hearts of both Mother and Son, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Come and See Weekends
Our 'Come and See' Retreats are designed for young women to literally 'come and see' what Religious Life is all about. They are invited to spend the weekend with our Sisters- praying, eating meals, and recreating with us.
Heart Speaks to Heart
Heart Speaks to Heart, Cor ad Cor Loquitur, (Latin translation)
By Sister Mary Catherine Blanding, IHM,
author of a forthcoming book on St. John Henry Newman.
How did this idea come about?
Our Foundress, Mother Joanne Brummel, loved St. John Henry Cardinal Newman. She introduced some of us to him. At the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute, sisters learned that John Henry Newman, along with Augustine and Aquinas, is one of the Church’s greatest minds. His uniqueness lies in his understanding of the present moment.
Newman Discussion Groups
Fr. James Conley—now Bishop Conley of Lincoln—shared his seminary experience of discussing Newman’s sermons in lay-led groups. These gatherings deeply influenced him, and he wanted to continue what he had received. Our IHM Community agreed to host similar meetings from 1985 to 1995. Each session followed a pattern: reading a sermon, discussing its themes, and praying over its insights. Our group, "Lovers of Newman," attracted men and women from all vocations.
After Newman’s 2019 canonization, two of us from the original group revived these gatherings. Today, more people are drawn to St. John Henry than ever before. Why? Because his writings create those "aha" moments. He articulates our thoughts better than we can ourselves. He ignites conversion. His words speak directly to the soul, gripping each person in a unique way.
Heart Speaks to Heart Online Edition
Each month, we will present a short synopsis of a sermon with guided reading questions, points to ponder, and personal reflection questions. You are in our hearts as St. John Henry speaks to your heart.
Here you can begin:
Sisters talk about the Joyful Mysteries
Sr. Mary Agnes and Sr. John Marie share with Divine Mercy Radio in Hays about how to live a life of joy; they base this reflection on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.