Kneeling before Mother John Mary Reed, mother superior of the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery, Sr. Maria Faustina Carmichael professes her perpetual vows on Dec. 8, 2023. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Passionist nun makes perpetual profession
BY WKC STAFF
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2023, Sr. Maria Faustina Carmichael of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary made her perpetual profession as a Passionist nun at St. Joseph Monastery in Whitesville. Bishop William F. Medley presided at the Mass and the monastery’s chaplain, Fr. Louis Caporiccio, CPM, gave the homily.
In a letter enclosed in the worship aid for the liturgy, Sr. Maria Faustina wrote that “Like many other millennials, I must admit that for a while I experienced a fear at the prospect of binding myself for life – in my case, perpetually – to a set path.”
She went on to conclude, however, that “Today, in a deeper sense, my eternal life begins. Today is my wedding day, the day of nuptial vows, and on this day in earthly time I am wed to Christ the Bridegroom in a bond that will last for all eternity.”
Sr. Maria Faustina Carmichael smiles for a photo with Bishop William F. Medley after making her perpetual profession on Dec. 8, 2023. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Sr. Maria Faustina Carmichael smiles after being presented with the cross and crown of thorns, a symbolic expression of her Passionist dedication to God, on Dec. 8, 2023. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Originally printed in the January 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
