Sister Constance Walton professes final vows: ‘The ring of roses’

Surrounded by roses, a special part of her life, Sister Constance Walton professed perpetual vows with FSPA on Oct. 31, 2009. She acknowledged Sister Karen Kappell’s design which adorned the cover of the worship aid. “For my reception ceremony in 2006,” wrote Sister Constance, “Sister Karen designed the cover with a branch of six roses. For today, Sister Karen fashioned the branch into an entire ring. Like any circle, the ring is unending.”

In addition to the roses decorating the worship aid, a six-rose flower bouquet in the sanctuary represented the six communities along Sister Constance’s faith journey: two roses symbolized FSPA of La Crosse and the Dillingen, Bavaria, ancestors; the other four roses represented the religious communities of Ettenbeuren, Germany; Milwaukee, Wis.; Hankinson, N.D.; and Mitchell, S.D. A seven-rose bouquet represented the seven foundresses of the three Franciscan communities: FSPA, OSF and FSE. “We are grateful to Mother Ameliana and to all the ‘women of vision’ who have shared and continue to share their gifts of leadership with FSPA.”

Sister Constance carried a Francis candle into the chapel. The Francis candle was fashioned by the St. Rose Liturgy Department as a symbol of the universality of the Franciscan communities around the world and throughout history. The Mass was presided over by the Rev. Joseph Hirsch and concelebrant, the Rev. Jude Weisenbeck. Her companion sister, Sister Rita Jansen, joined Sister Constance in the front of the chapel. Members of her local community, Pax et Bonum, along with sisters she has lived with over the years also joined Sister Constance, offering their services as eucharistic ministers.

In her welcome, Sister Marlene Weisenbeck referenced Sister Constance’s connection with an FSPA foundress. “Your identification with Ottilie Dirr has led you to a personal mission of protecting and prolongating the inheritance of FSPA. Ottilie, later to be known as Mother Ameliana, desired to create a community and reach a new global reality in the Ettenbeuren of America so that she, as a Franciscan, could proclaim the divine presence in all creation. This is truly an expression of our assembly enactments of this past summer that leads to inner transformation (without property), authentic relationships in community (obedience) and the awakening consciousness of the loving words of St. Francis: ‘Oh God, who are you? And who am I?’ Today your heart’s desire is fulfilled in the total commitment of your heart within the heart of Trinitarian love. Welcome to this ceremony of perpetual profession, your ceremony. Your spirit, enflamed with this love, may it never falter.”

After the Communion Prayer, Sister Constance thanked those in attendance and shared a story of her journey to and with FSPA. “Five years ago, a visit to La Crosse changed my life. That life was in shambles,” Sister Constance began. “I sat by the river and pleaded with God for direction and guidance.” That night, in a room just below the room where she lives now, Sister Constance received guidance in the form of a dream. In that dream she heard the words the answer is beneath your feet. “The next day, my first morning thought was: ‘the answer is beneath your feet.’” Sister Constance then went home to South Dakota and tried to forget the words.

The next five years became a time of gestation, reorientation, rediscovery, reclaiming and rebirth. She said in closing, “Thank you for walking with me, welcoming me, growing with me and challenging me. The answer lies here in this place [the chapel]. It’s where the past meets the present and lies on the threshold of the future. It’s where new members are welcomed and those whose time with us here are sent off on another journey. It’s where affiliates and prayer partners are commissioned. It’s where visitors and employees feel the Spirit. We do not know the future, the challenges, but we do know here, the Promise is beneath our feet.”