The crosses of profession awaitThe sanctuary has been preparedThe sacristy is ready for the sacred ministersIn the religious life, joyous occasions of fraternal recreation and peaceful moments with Our Lord always walk hand-in-handThe sisters delight whenever there is an opportunity to come together, joined by the bonds of fraternal charity.Many sisters from our other houses were able to come for this joyous occasionThe postulants wear their hair down on the day before they don the veil. The veil symbolizes their undivided love of Jesus ChristOlive oil, marmalade, limoncello, and traditional “palmier” cookies made the sisters. The olives and fruit all come from the gardens of our houses in Italy.An alcove near Saint Joseph is prepared in the cloisterSisters clean up the interior courtyard after some recent rainThe statue of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King is ornamented with flowers and garlands, as the Brides of Christ come to offer themselves to His Royal HeartThe chapter room is used for vesting the prelate before the ceremoniesSisters prepare the chapter room before the arrival of the Most Reverend Cardinal Willem Eijk, of Utrecht, who will be giving the habit to the new novicesAt the close of the retreat, everyone enjoys coming together for a special meal in recreation. Here, the postulants have their meal with their superiors and the chaplain for the retreat.The sisters preparing to pronounce their vows are also in retreat. Here, they receive instruction from our Reverend MotherPrayer before a meal in the refectory. Our usual meals are taken in silence, as we listen to a spiritual bookAll of the spiritual conferences and religious instructions begin and end with a prayer.One of the canons gives the postulants a spiritual conference.The postulants chant the Veni Creator with our Reverend Mother and the Novice Mistress as they begin a time of spiritual retreat before receiving the habit
