Sister Agnes Mary of the Good Shepherd, a member of the Discalced Carmelite Community of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain, pronounced her solemn vows at a concelebrated Mass on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Bishop John F. Doerfler was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Profession Mass. Father Daniel Moll, Vicar for Religious, Father Eric Olson, Chaplain of the Community and Father Janusz Romanek, a Community Confessor, concelebrated. Deacons Tom Foye and Lawrence Londo assisted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic only Sister’s parents were permitted to attend.
Sister Agnes Mary, 25, entered Carmel from her home in Waynesboro Va., on Dec. 21, 2014. After a year as a postulant and two years of novitiate, Sister pronounced her temporary vows for three years on Dec. 8, 2017. During the ensuing three years Sister Agnes Mary continued her formation in preparation for the definitive commitment of solemn vows.
Through solemn vows, Sister Agnes Mary became a full-fledged member of the Religious Family of Cloistered Carmelite Nuns. The present community numbers 18 members ranging from 21 years to a venerable 95.
The Carmelite Nuns are committed to a life of prayer and penance for the Church and especially for priests. The intentions of all friends, relatives and benefactors reach the nuns through mail, phone, etc. and are remembered faithfully as the community gathers for prayer often each day.
The nuns are supported by the alms of benefactors as well as their Altar Bread Department, gift shop, large gardens, and more.
To learn more about this Monastery of Carmelite Nuns visit their website managed by a friend of the community: www.holycrosscarmel.com