October 13, 2024 - Our Lady of Fatima Procession
Three IHM's make their First Vows
There is a saying that happiness comes in threes. There was a triple cause for rejoicing for the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as three Sisters—Sr. Mary Gemma, Sr. Edith Marie, and Sr. Emilia Marie—each made their first profession of vows on Saturday, June 29. The three vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience are known as a “triple expression of a single ‘yes.’” By professing these vows, a Sister becomes a bride of Christ.
The first profession took place at St. Francis of Assisi parish during a Mass celebrated by Fr. John Hay, the chaplain of the IHM Sisters. Fr. Hay’s homily highlighted the role of happiness in religious life, the happiness that comes from following God. Although the microphones were not working that day, the joy in the Sisters’ voices and the radiant smiles on their faces made this happiness apparent to all.
“Professing first vows filled me with joy and fulfilled a desire I have had for a long time,” Sr. Mary Gemma said. “I am filled with gratitude that Jesus called me and for all the ways He has worked in my life to make this moment possible.”
Professing one’s vows involves not only an internal change, but an external one as well. The evening before their profession, the three Sisters 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 their vows, the Sisters received the scapular and the badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and their white veils were exchanged for black veils, symbolizing their consecration.
Sr. Edith Marie recalled a moment before Mass began when, “…our wedding day became real, and everything that led up to it—sorrows and joys alike—was so unbelievably and indescribably worth it. I cannot wait to share the joy of Christ with everyone I meet.”
Sr. Mary Gemma, the daughter of George and Marcia Hund, is originally from Paxico, Kansas, and attended Sacred Heart parish in Newbury. Sr. Edith Marie, the daughter of Brett and Jennifer Lamborn, lived in Wichita during her high school years after growing up in various places around the country. Sr. Emilia Marie, the daughter of Theodore and Susan Sponsel, grew up in the Wichita area and attended St. Peter the Apostle parish.
When reflecting on the day, Sr. Emilia Marie said, “The moment my name was called for the summons, it was as if God was calling me again to be His as He had done so long ago.” Sr. Edith Marie entered the convent in August 2021, Sr. Mary Gemma and Sr. Emilia Marie followed in January 2022, and all three became novices in the summer of 2022. During the upcoming school year, the newly professed Sisters will be continuing their spiritual and apostolic formation at the convent, as well as taking college courses to prepare for the active apostolate of education.
IHM Sisters Celebrate Perpetual Profession
On Saturday, July 27, during the Mass for Religious Profession celebrated by Bishop Carl Kemme at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Schulte, Sr. Julian Marie Swantek, IHM and Sr. Maria Cabrini Sponsel, IHM professed perpetual vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and were solemnly consecrated to God, becoming brides of Christ forever.
During the Rite of Perpetual Profession which occurred during the Mass, all in attendance prayed the Litany of the Saints for Sr. Julian Marie and Sr. Maria Cabrini, who then professed their vows in the hands of Mother Cecilia Marie, IHM. After the Sisters signed the documents of their profession on the altar of sacrifice, Bishop Kemme prayed the prayer of solemn consecration over the Sisters. The Sisters then each received a ring, which is a sign of their espousal to Christ the Bridegroom.
"The whole Mass was beautifully majestic, truly a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy that we will join in for all eternity,” Sr. Julian Marie said.
After the celebration of the Mass, many relatives and friends of the Sisters were able to join in the festivities.
“I am still in awe, and I will forever be pondering the graces received on that day and the days following. To be His bride forever—totally His—I cannot express my deep joy,” Sr. Maria Cabrini said. “The Mass was so beautiful, and we were surrounded by our community, bishops, priests, and many family and friends.”
Sr. Julian Marie, the daughter of Marc and Annette Swantek, grew up as a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Genoa, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for three years before entering the convent.
Sr. Maria Cabrini, the daughter of Theodore and Susan Sponsel, grew up as a parishioner at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. After graduating from Bishop Carroll she attended Newman University for two years before entering the convent.
Many significant events in their religious lives have been shared by the two Sisters: both entered the convent in August 2018, were received as novices on February 11, 2019, and made their first profession of vows on March 13, 2021.
Both Sisters will be entering the active apostolate of teaching this fall. Sr. Julian Marie will be teaching science at Bishop Carroll in Wichita, and Sr. Maria Cabrini will be student teaching in the Wichita area.
IHM Spiritual Assistant to Secular Franciscans
What Does an IHM Have to do with a Secular Franciscan?
No, this is not a joke, but it certainly sounds like one! An IHM, Sr. Mary Catherine, is formally recorded in the National Secular Franciscan data base as “spiritual assistant” to the St. Anthony Franciscan Fraternity in Wichita. You may wonder, what is a secular order and a spiritual assistant?
History of Secular Orders
As the medieval religious orders began, many lay men and women yearned for the “more” of Gospel living, while being faithful to their state of life. In the case of the Franciscans, St. Francis of Assisi began the “Order of Penitents,” an official order for both laity and diocesan priests. Francis urged the Order of Penitents to live simply, grow in their spiritual lives, and especially be a light to the poor and outcast. The “Little Poor Man formed a simple rule for the "Brothers and Sister of Penance" and today they are known as the Secular Franciscan Order (prior to 1978 they were known as "The Third Order.") The OFS is more than another group in the Church. They are an order, whose fraternities are established according to Canon Law (303), and strive to follow the Gospel in their lives everyday -- lives of simplicity and service. Throughout the centuries this “Franciscan Third Order” as it was then called, claimed many saints and family of saints, such as St. Charles Borromeo, St. John Fisher, and St. John Vianney. Before they founded their own orders, St. Bridget of Sweden, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, and St. Katherine Drexel, among many other Founders and Foundresses of Religious Orders, belonged to the Franciscan Third Order. Many relatives of saints come from of Secular Franciscans, such as the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux and Maximilian Kolbe; the mothers of St. John Bosco and St. Maria Goretti.
What is a Spiritual Assistant?
A Spiritual Assistant, usually a Franciscan friar, helps form the spirituality of the secular order and builds community. Why, then, is an IHM a spiritual assistant? Because of the lack of vocations to the Capuchins, the Franciscans at this time find it challenging to provide spiritual assistants. According to the Secular Franciscans Constitutions, a spiritual assistant can be a religious of another order. The National Fraternity accepted Sister Mary Catherine because she is engaged with ongoing study of spiritual theology and formation from the Avila Institute, er tutelage under the regional spiritual assistant, Fr. Scully, OFM, as well of course her formation and experience as an IHM. Sister tries to implement the following:
- To be one who inspires by her own prayer and example. St. Francis exemplified this in his famous walk through a town, “preaching a sermon” without words
- To be available for questions on Spiritual Theology, Catholic doctrine, and community. Her years of religious life and education have prepared her for this.
- To guarantee Franciscan spirituality
- To foster community, especially by going out to each SFO, and encouraging him/her in his/her unique gifts
- To encourage the SFOs in general and individually the urgent importance of their lay witness and apostolate
In the words of St. John Paul II, (The Spiritual Assistant)… must get to know the members of the Fraternity, one by one, and form them by harmonizing the education and abilities of each so that no one remains isolated or on the periphery. I am talking about a profound work that is carried out discreetly and quietly. Finally, our IHM Constitutions urge the Sisters to evangelize and catechize whenever the opportunity presents itself, under the authority of obedience. A Spiritual Assistant helps the laity to live faithful to the Gospel in the 21st century, especially by evangelizing their own families and respecting human life at every stage, so it is obvious that an IHM can serve in this manner. It is an honor to help these beautiful laypersons. Yes, there is a connection between an IHM and a Secular Franciscan, and though it is not a joke, it is pleasant!
IHM Sisters featured in Faith Magazine
Sr. John Marie and Sr. Mary Monica contributed articles to the Diocese of Salina Faith Magazine. For the entire publication or past magazines, go to https://salinadiocese.org/publications/faith/
May 13th - Our Lady of Fatima Procession
We are so grateful to how many came to give honor to our Lady:
Postulant Received as Novice
On Sunday, February 11, Lilly Timmermeyer was officially received into the community, becoming a novice. She will now be known as Sr. Benedicta Marie, after Pope Benedict XVI. His writings really captivated Sister, and she wanted to follow his example in her life. Sr. Benedicta Marie will be continuing her formation, preparing for her next step - profession of vows.
Pope Benedict XVI has the left the Church a great legacy; his love for our Lord and the Church is most inspiring. It is difficult to choose one quote of his. For the Sisters devoted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, one striking quote is from the theological commentary on the third secret of Fatima:
"To be 'devoted' to the Immaculate Heart of Mary means therefore to embrace this attitude of heart, which makes the fiat - 'your will be done' - the defining centre of one's whole life."
IHM Sisters on Divine Mercy Radio
New Angel of Fatima Shrine
Photos courtesy Wayne Mikols
Article taken from https://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/fatima-scene-installed-at-ihm-convent/
Those who visit the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse property south of Colwich may now contemplate one of the angelic Fatima apparitions while praying the rosary.
The sisters have installed four statues on their property depicting the third visit of the Angel of Peace to Lúcia, Jacinta, and Francisco in 1916, a prelude to the visits of before the Blessed Virgin at Fatima in 1917.
Mother Cecilia Marie said a significant aspect of the IHM charism is devotion to Our Lady, in particular, her Immaculate Heart, something the Blessed Virgin revealed to the children in June 1917.
“The main message of Our Lady at Fatima is prayer for the conversion of sinners. The Angel is sent to prepare the children to receive Our Lady’s message of prayer and offering sacrifices for the conversion of sinners,” she said. “Our prayer apostolate is directed toward praying for the conversion of sinners, as well as adoration of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”
Mother Cecilia Marie said Mother Mary Magdalene, who was the General Superior of the IHM Sisters at that time, initiated the project when the three-year Eucharist Revival was launched.
The National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year initiative by the U.S. bishops designed to inspire, educate, and unite the faithful in a more intimate relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. It began on June 19, 2022, the Feast of Corpus Christi.
The angelic scene was installed not only for contemplation and veneration but also for the Sisters the faithful, in particular those who take part in the processions and retreats held at the motherhouse property.
IHMs relate to Fatima message
“As Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we find a lot of resonance with the message of Our Lady of Fatima,” Mother Cecilia Marie said. “Prayers, sacrifice, adoration of Our Lord, prayers for the conversion of sinners were emphasized by our father founder in 1848.”
The Venerable Joaquin Masmitjá, who was born in Spain in 1808, founded the IHMs.
“Those are the things that we’re all called to do as a church militant,” she said.
The prayer the angel teaches the children is pertinent today when belief in the Eucharist is waning, she said.
Angel prayed with the children
Leaving the chalice suspended in the air, the angel knelt beside the children and made them repeat three times:
“Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. And through the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.”
Mother Cecilia Marie said the prayer reflects part of their spirituality. Through our own adoration, we can offer reparation to Our Lord in Eucharist, the Sacrament of His Enduring Love.
The statues are made of marble and were carved in Florence, Italy. Cody Swanson, sculptor, when contacted said, “I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was an honor of a lifetime to sculpt this work and I hope it will help the faithful to feel closer to the Lord and inspire veneration of the Eucharist.”
IHM Novena 2023
Theme: The Interior Life
Please join the Sisters in preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary by attending the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novena.
The Novena begins on Thursday, June 8, 2023 and ends on Friday, June 16, 2023. The evenings begin at 7:00 p.m. with a Marian talk by one of the Sisters, followed by refreshments and will end with a Eucharistic Holy Hour and confessions beginning around 7:45 p.m.
On The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saturday, June 17, a special Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception.
All of our friends and family are invited to join us!
Novena Talks
June 8 - The Interior Life of Mary: She Pondered
Talk 1 - Mary Pondered (click here for print version)
June 9 - St. Louis de Montfort
Talk 2 - St. Louis de Montfort (click here for print version)
June 10 - St. Teresa of Avila
Talk 3 - Saint Teresa of Avila (click here for print version)
June 11 - St. Maximilian Kolbe
Talk 4 - Saint Maximilian Kolbe (click here for print version)
June 12 - St. John of the Cross
Talk 5 - Saint John of the Cross (click here for print version)
June 13 - St. Francis de Sales
Talk 6 - Saint Francis de Sales (click here for print version)
June 14 - St. Ignatius Loyola
Talk 7 - Saint Ignatius Loyola (click here for print version)
June 15 - Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection
Talk 8 - Brother Lawrence (click here for print version)
June 16 - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity
Talk 9-Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (click here for 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.