Vow renewal ceremony comes during a season of hope, light

by Sarah Hennessey, FSPA

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, in a season of hope and fulfillment, I renewed my vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Two things stayed with me. I was moved by the seriousness of my own commitment and by the awesome gift of receiving the affirmation of my community. To profess these vows for three more years resonated with the very core of my lifetime commitment to the Gospel, and to receive affirmation reminded me that I am not journeying alone. Together we are a pilgrim people.

I have had moments of doubt, where my fear was greater than Advent hope. I have had times of struggle, particularly with my mental health, which put the possibility of a continued vowed commitment in question. These questions have required full use of our many discernment processes as I journeyed towards renewal. Together with my director, my local group, companion community, my friends and sisters we entered into the questions with a listening heart to hear more clearly the movement of the Spirit. Through quiet listening, the Spirit moved me forward in the process, but not alone.

I feel a groundedness in my heart right now, a fullness of health, and an embracing of these vows. The words of my request letter say it best: “I find myself deep in community, living the rhythm of gift and reception, and longing to live more fully as an FSPA. My hope is to use this time to continue living into community, ministry and prayer and to discover myself as I live this FSPA life. I hope to continue to live into the vows of poverty, obedience, consecrated celibacy and all that they invite me to. In this way, I hope to be ever more sister to the sisters around me and a loving presence in Christ to the world.”

My heart filled with joy as I renewed my vows. Here, with these sisters, is where I am my fullest self. But under the joy are a rock-hard seriousness and a desire to continue my discernment with honesty and an open heart. To truly receive affirmation is not always simple; it means being able to affirm myself and accept a gift from someone else. The support I have received from the FSPA community has opened me up to being able to receive affirmation in a fuller way than I ever have before. This has been your gift to me, to give so that I can receive and with the grace of God give again.