Ruffec: Taking the Habit and Religious Profession Ceremony – 2024
On Sunday April 7, 2024, Sunday in Albis or Quasimodo Sunday, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta celebrated a Pontifical Mass in the priory church of Saint-Martial de Ruffec. During the Mass, the taking of the habit and religious professions of Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X occurred.
The Saint-Martial priory, located in Ruffec-le-Château, in Indre, is currently the seat of the French-language novitiate of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X aims to assist the apostolate of the priests of the SSPX. Its founders, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and Mother Marie-Gabriel Lefebvre, his own sister, were both from the Missionary Congregation of the Holy Spirit.
These religious sisters consecrate themselves to God through the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are made after two and a half years of formation in one of the four novitiates, that is, houses of formation for sisters established in France, Germany, the United States, and Argentina.
In 2024, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X numbered 209 professed sisters in 30 communities throughout 10 countries: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the United States, Argentina, Gabon, the Dominican Republic, and Australia.
During the ceremony, five postulants put on the religious habit and entered the novitiate proper after the six months of postulancy. Three novices having completed their formation made their first religious vows. Finally, five professed sisters, including two Americans, made their perpetual vows.
A large audience could only partially be accommodated in the church, so a large screen was installed in the courtyard to allow the overflow easily view the ceremony.
The next day, Monday, April 8, the General Chapter reelected Mother Marie Jean Superior General of the congregation, and Sister Marie Claire was elected First Assistant and Sister Marie Gerard, Second Assistant.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Society of Saint Pius X
The first sister entered the emerging religious congregation in September 1974. Next Saturday, April 13, the Congregation will celebrate its 50th anniversary, at the St. Pius X International Seminary in Econe in the Valais, Switzerland, the birth place of the Society, in the church consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. All the sisters should come together for this jubilee.
This will be an opportunity to give thanks to God and to thank Providence for the development of this religious branch, as well to pray at the tomb of the Founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who now rests in the crypt of the seminary church.
The sisters seek to sanctify themselves and pray for souls. Let us pray for them, especially on this occasion.
(Source : MG – FSSPX.Actualités)
Crédit photos : © Louis Marie GROSSLER (sauf la première photo du diaporama)
