David's vows - "in the footsteps of Jesus poor and crucified"/Tom time/"Jesus...summoned those whom he wanted" - +JMJ+

Happy to have time with Tom after some weeks apart.

It has been a few weeks since Tom and I have had some time together!  I had the thought yesterday that I really missed my sweet boy, and soon my phone rang with a need for me to help out while Ruth and Paul got recognized for their work in making Marshall better.  

There were 20 curious people that went on a tour of The Parsonage and the Apartments next store.  Much appreciation for beatifying the neighborhood of our beloved Catholic Church!   

A new haircut and a big smile for grandma.  He came in and wanted to rest on the couch - it was naptime I guess.

I have been more and more grateful that our Tom is now totally healed and as good as new!  Truly an answer to so many prayers!  After his 4 wheeler accident on Labor Day...Ruth was told that if Tom had been an adult and suffered from the crushed pelvis he had that he would not have survived.  Also if his chest or head had been hurt - he would more than likely have not made it either.  He was protected by his guardian angel, and came home after being air lifted to Sanford with no surgery and no cast.  He recovered on his own at his own pace, and graduated from therapy some weeks ago now.  

Warm and happy to be at grandma's peaceful house after some time away.  Not too sure about the farm cat, who now lives with me... Neumann snuggles.

The Litany of Saints sung by ls Marie Jean and ls Stephanie - David on the floor in total supplication of the Saints to help him on his journey of vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.

Prostration (lying face down on the ground) After the Promise of Obedience, the candidate lies prostrate on the floor while the bishop, priests, and parishioners recite the Litany of Saints, calling out to the communion of saints for their strength and support. They ask also that the saints intercede to God on the candidate’s behalf.

How I love the Saints!  They were huge in our family when the kids were little, too!  We had a book of the Saints and the kids would have their favorites.  Nancy loved them so much that she has written a Saint book herself!  

Blessed are you, Lamb of God, Passover of the Lord!  You have broken the seals of the book of life and revealed to little ones the secrets of your heart.  

Responsorial Psalm 40

Profession 

The Celebrant - Archbishop Naumann - Rise!

Little Brother David, you who were consecrated to God through water and the Holy Spirit on the day of  your Baptism.  Do you resolve to be more closely united to Him through your religious profession?  

little brother: with the grace of God, yes, I do.

Prior - little brother Dominic Francis came from France to hear David's vows!

The Prior:  In order to follow Christ perfectly, do you resolve to guard chastity for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven, to choose poverty, and to live in obedience, in the footsteps of Jesus poor and crucified?

little brother: With the grace of God, yes, I do.

The Prior:  Do you resolve to dedicate all your strength to the love of God and of neighbor, with a preferential love for the Church and the poorest, who constitute today the greatest part of humanity?

lb: With the grace of God, yes, I do. 

Prior:  With the Virgin Mary, do you resolve to keep the Word of the Lord, until under the anointing of the Spirit, it is set ablaze in your heart, so as to know Jesus, who is the tenderness of the Father and the Savior of your soul?

lb: With the grace of God, yes, I do.

Prior:  Do you resolve, following the example of St Dominic, to live in unceasing meditation on the Word of God, to celebrate it in the liturgy, day and night, in the heart of the Church, and to remain in the contemplation of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who begs from the Cross for the love of each one of his creatures?

lb:  With the grace of God, yes, I do.

Prior:   According to the purpose of St Dominic, do you resolve to preach the Gospel, being made one with the Suffering Servant to live out the Passion of Jesus among the poor and the little ones whether in the heart of cities or in the solitude of the desert?

lb:  With the grace of God, yes, I do.

Prior:  Do you resolve to live in fraternal communion in the heart of the Community of the Lamb, where all together you strive to live the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, announcing among the poorest, in the heart of the Church, the universal reconciliation of all men and the return of Jesus?

lb:  With the grace of God, yes, I do.   

Little Brother David, the Church gives you three years to persevere in the apprenticeship of this life.  But the temporary profession that you are about to pronounce consecrates you from now on to the Lord.  Be faithful, do not grieve the Holy Spirit; in all things, give thanks to God.  That which God has begun in you, may he bring to completion for the day when Christ comes. 

lb: Amen!   

Kissing his feet as a sign of how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples - go and do likewise!  

This little brother assisted blind David in the Cathedral - there were many steps around the altar and to get around from front to back.  

The Cathedral was full on a very cold day outside - so much LIGHT, LIFE and LOVE - Jesus!  

Archbishop Joseph Naumann officiated next to the Lamb - "Wounded, I will never cease to love."  Little Brother David answers the call of our Lord, Christ Jesus!  Today in the Gospel Jesus called the 12 - today he calls those whom he wants!  

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:  Mark 3

So wonderful and glorious to witness this "call" lived out this day and age!  Our own daughter, Little Sister Hallel, is a fully professed nun - she took her final vows in 2018 with 24 of her family in France to witness her vows - "I promise unto death!"  So real and true of our marriages!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: Susan Angela Agnes/Little Sister Hallel - the story of a Call .  

You might count only 21, but there were 3 little boys in the womb of 3 of the moms!  Truly there were 24 in France to witness our Little Sister Hallel's final vows - " I promise unto death."  

The green Cathedral where the vows took place in Saint Pierre in the foothills of The Pyranees Mountains in Southern France
 

Newly fully professed Hallel at our feast in the Holy Family Area - she wears the Lamb.  Little Brother David will receive the Lamb at his final vows in about 5 years or so.  Many prayers for them on their amazing journey!  

Reviewing this Simple Profession vows - they are quite something and amazing when you really pour over them.  Pat and I and his mother along with John were ablet to go to France in 2011 for her first vows.  I know at that time it was very powerful and wonderful, but to see them now in English and able to pour over them... Wow!!!  So powerful and deep!  Jesus, thank you for the ability we have to share in the LIFE of our nun and her Community of the Lamb.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 33 plus many Little Sisters and Little Brothers.  

All 5 of our children together in France - such an answer to prayer!  

LOVE sharing our Faith as a family!  Domestic Church is united in our Catholic Faith!  My father brought our entire family of 13 into The Catholic Church 52 years ago! 

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The amazing story of the 13 becoming Catholic!  

Hillbilly Thomists - listened to them coming and going to lb David's vows with our military family!  So good!