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“It’s going to be a great day; it’s your final vow anniversary.” (September 11, 2001) Words spoken by one of my sisters in community as I went out the door to work. I was thankful for the spontaneous blessing, but now I find it sadly ironic. Just ten minutes later, in the corridor of my workplace, a fellow worker announced, “Turn on your TV; two planes have hit the World Trade Center.” My heart sank, even more so, knowing that two planes wasn’t an accident. The words about it being a great day turned cold. The day only got worse. There is still no making sense of it. How can such actions even be conceived in human hearts and minds?
It is not of real importance that a day that once held a quiet, private joy is inappropriate to celebrate. But it seems even more compelling to remember and to ponder this strange juxtaposition. Despite the terror of September 11, good intention still exists and abounds in the world. Vows, whether of religion or marriage, are meant to bespeak dedication to loving inclusively, sharing the earth’s abundance, listening for the still, small voice of God in and with the other, and standing present to the other’s pain. They witness opposition to death and destruction in retaliation for any evil, real or imagined. September 11 is no longer a day for celebration but for soberly remembering the importance of passion for good and seeking life for all. Now, this day holds the terrible twistedness of life and death. May this contradiction become again the stuff of resurrection.
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Vow formula of the FMI
In response to the call of Christ, for the glory of the Holy Trinity, the love of the Virgin Mary, and the service of the Church, in the hands of ____________________. Superior General/Provincial (or their delegate), I, _______________________ (name and surname) freely vow to observe during ____________________ chastity, poverty, obedience, and stability according to the Rule of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate and in union of life with my Sisters.
This article first appeared in Marianist Soundings, vol. 7, no. 1 (Fall 2002), p. 33. NACMS © 2002, 2013.