Simple Profession

Our principal task in Carmel is to converse with God in all our actions.
– Saint Raphael Kalinowski

If, at the end of the two-year novitiate, it seems to the community and to the Novice herself that her calling from God is being confirmed, then, after mature reflection and in full freedom, she binds herself more strongly to God and to the Carmelite Order. She expresses this offering of herself, united to that of Christ, by making her profession. She promises this for five years.

After this stage, she remains in the Novitiate for several more years, then begins a period of trial during which the young nun gradually assumes more responsibility in the community. If it is indeed Jesus who has engendered this vocation in her, He will see this work of His through to its fulfilment, i.e. to solemn profession. Solemn profession takes place at the end of this time of probation, at which time the nun gives herself to the life before God and the Church for ever.s

“Vocation, or the call to consecrate oneself to God, is a privilege: a privilege which does not depend on personal merit, but on God’s good pleasure alone. God chooses whom He wills, when He wills, and as He wills…”You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” (Jn 15:16). God’s choice is the basis of every vocation; it is wholly gratuitous, inspired solely by His love. Each one so chosen should justly consider herself as a privileged one of God…and confronted with the mystery of God’s choice and her own insufficiency, she should be unable to do otherwise than to prostrate herself in gratitude and humility.

Together with Mary, the most privileged of creatures, every consecrated soul can sing its Magnificat: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior, because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid” (Lk 1:46-48). The story of every vocation can be summarized by saying that God’s glance has rested with special love on one of His creatures. That this creature is poor, weak, and wretched does not matter…God only seeks hearts capable of corresponding His love of predilection, hearts capable of giving themselves to Him without reserve and with complete generosity.”

– Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene, OCD

Find your delight in the Lord, who will give you your heart’s desire. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act. And make your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like noonday.

-Psalm 37: 4- 6