ness is infinite: we render thanks to Thy most gracious majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us, evermore beseeching Thy clemency, that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the rewards to come. O God, who by the Virgin's Immaculate Conception didst prepare a worthy dwelling for Thy Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that Thou, who by the death of Thy Son didst preserve her from every stain, wouldst by her intercession purify us in soul and body so that we may worthily come to Thee. O God, who inflamest Thy servant whom Thou hast called from the vanity of this world to strive after the reward of a heavenly vocation; purify his (or her) heart, and pour upon him (or her) Thy grace, that being fortified by Thy protection he (or she) may with perseverance fulfil donante promisit, adimpleat, et professionis suæ sectator effectus (sectatrix effecta) ad ea quæ perseverantibus in te promittere dignatus es, pertingat. Tuorum corda fidelium, Deus, miserator illustra, et beatæ Elisabeth precibus gloriosis fac nos prospera mundi despicere, et cœlesti semper consolatione gaudere. Deus, qui beatum Ludovicum confessorem tuum de terreno regno ad cœlestis regni gloriam transtulisti: ejus quæsumus meritis, et intercessione, regis regum Jesu Christi Filii tui facias nos esse consortes. Deus, qui mira crucis mysteria in beatissimo confessore tuo Sancto Francisco multiformiter demonstrasti, da famulo tuo (famulis tuis, famulæ tuæ, famulabus tuis) ipsius semper exempla sectari, et assidua ejus crucis meditatione muniri. Per Chris what he (or she) promised, and having followed, with Thine aid, his (or her) vocation, he (or she) may reach those things which Thou hast promised to those who persevere. Mercifully enlighten, O God, the hearts of Thy faithful servants; and through the glorious prayers of blessed Elizabeth make us to despise the good things of this world, and ever to delight in the consolations of heaven. O God, who hast translated blessed Louis Thy confessor from an earthly to a heavenly kingdom; grant us by his merits and intercession to reign with him for ever in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. O God, who hast manifested the wonderful mysteries of the cross in many ways in thy most blessed confessor St. Francis; grant to Thy servant that he (or she) may always follow his example and be fortified in the assiduous meditation of the Cross. Through Jesus Christ our tum Dominum. R. Amen. R. Amen. After this, the Father Director takes the crucifix from the altar and blesses the newly professed, saying: He then presents the crucifix to the newly professed, who kisses the feet, and the Director replaces it on the altar. The act of profession is then entered in the register of the Congregation, and signed by the newly professed; the Director and the Superior also add their names. The act is to be written according to the following form: For the greater glory of God and the salvation of my own soul, I (Brother or Sister N., wife or widow of N.), dwelling at N., declare that I have made, with perfect liberty, profession of the Rule of the Third Order of Penance into the hands of the Rev. Father N., Director of the Congregation established at N., and in presence of the Brothers (or Sisters) of the said Community. I promise, with the grace of God, to observe the holy Rule to my life's end, faithfully keeping the commandments of God and of the Church, and submitting to all the penances which may be imposed upon me by the Father Visitor for the transgressions I may commit against our holy Rule and Constitutions, or for acting in any way contrary to the state of life I have embraced. In witness of which I sign this act, the of the month of the year .1 1 This act of profession must be signed by the Director and by the person professed, and in presence of at least two witnesses, and be afterwards entered in the register of the Community. If the newly professed cannot write, he (or she) must attach his (or her) usual mark to the act of profession. FORM OF CERTIFICATE. For the greater glory of God and for the salvation of my soul, I, of my own free will, have made profession of the Third Order of Penance of our holy Father St. Francis into the hands of the Rev. Director of the Congregation established at day of this 18 , after having fulfilled all the conditions of my novitiate. And I purpose, with the help of God's grace, to keep the commandments of God, and to satisfy with exactitude the penance imposed upon me for my transgressions against the Rule. In faith of which I have signed this act with my own hand, the day, month, and year above named, in presence of the Father Director and one witness. SEAL. Professed. Witness, or Secretary. Each Tertiary must keep a copy of this certificate, duly signed, which will entitle him (or her) to admission in any foreign house of the Order. CEREMONY OF THE VOW OF CHASTITY For such as, being about to make their profession, with the consent of their Confessor, desire to consecrate themselves to God in the vow of perpetual chastity. Before re 1 When the vow is for a limited period, the time is expressed instead of the words in italics; and, further on, the word "irrevocable" is omitted. ceiving their profession, the Director blesses a ring according to the following form: BENEDICTION OF THE VIRGINAL RING. V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. R. Qui fecit cœlum et terram. V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Creator et conservator humani generis, dator gratiæ spiritualis et largitor humanæ salutis, tu Domine, emitte bene + dictionem tuam super hunc annulum, ut quæ eum gestaverit, cœlesti virtute munita, fidem integram, fidelitatem que sinceram teneat, sicut sponsa Christi, virginitatis propositum custodiat, et in castitate perpetua perseveret. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto Thee. V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Creator and Preserver of the human race, Giver of spiritual grace and Bestower of human salvation; give Thy blessing to this ring, that she who wears it may be filled with heavenly power, and, as a spouse of Christ, may keep strict faith and sincere fidelity, and persevering in perpetual chastity, may preserve holy virginity. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. |