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Christendom alumna professes solemn vows at Poor Clare cloister in Alexandria

Ashleigh Kassock | For the Catholic Herald

The family of Sr. Mary Johanna attends her final profession as a Poor Clare sister with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Poor Clare Monastery in Alexandria July 22. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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An overflow of family and friends watch a livestream of the final profession ceremony under a tent outside the chapel. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

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The chapel at the Mary, Mother of the Church Poor Clare monastery
in Alexandria overflowed with family and friends to witness the solemn
profession of Sister Mary Johanna July 22, the feast of Mary Magdalene. 

As the ceremony began, Sister Johanna’s parents, Cathy and Tim
O’Donnell, stood near the front of the chapel, their eyes fixed on a set of
wooden doors to the right of the altar. When the doors opened, a young woman
dressed in white and brown stood holding a tall white candle and smiling with
the radiance of a bride on her wedding day — their daughter. 

“As a parent, you want two things for your children — happiness
and heaven,” said Tim, president of Christendom College in Front Royal. 

One look at the Poor Clare sister’s face throughout the hourlong ceremony
ensured the O’Donnells, the 200 guests watching on a monitor outside, and those
watching on livestream that she exuded happiness. After her final profession of
vows to poverty, chastity, obedience and enclosure, the O’Donnells were assured
of the latter when Bishop Michael F. Burbidge responded: “And I, on the part of
almighty God, promise you if you observe these things, life everlasting.”

As part of their vow of poverty, the Poor Clares rely entirely on
donations for food and other basic needs. They live a cloistered life, with
family visits only permitted twice a year. Throughout the day and night, they
respond to the ringing of a bell calling them to enter the chapel to pray,
especially for vocations in the diocese.

During an interview before the profession, the 33-year-old
Virginia native, born Maire Kathleen Dubh O’Donnell, talked about hearing that
same promise two decades earlier at the solemn profession of another
Christendom alumna.

“I had decided that I wanted to take St. Clare as my confirmation
saint,” said Sister Johanna. “My mom asked if I wanted to go with her to the
solemn profession and I said ‘yes.’ The part that really struck me was the vows
and the promises made. I remember as an 11-year-old gasping and saying, ‘Did he
really just say that?’ ”

Her inspiration to choose St. Clare as her confirmation saint
came from a surprising source — a comic book. 

“My parents would go to adoration on Monday nights from 9 to 10
and that was their sort of date night. They would go out to dinner and then to
adoration at our parish, Sacred Heart in Winchester. I remember asking, ‘Can I
go with you?’ because I didn’t want to stay and be babysat. And they said yes.
In the adoration chapel, they had a little basket for children’s books. In that
basket, there was a saint’s comic book on St. Clare. I remember that picture of
her ringing the bell to wake the community to pray in the middle of the night.
Reading about her life in that way I just thought that was really amazing and
that is what ultimately made me choose St. Clare.” 

Despite her early exposure to the community, several years passed
before it became clear this was where God was calling her. 

“What kept bringing me back to the Poor Clares was the totality
of the sacrifice. The giving of one’s self that corresponds with my own heart.
So much of the call was willingness to leave my mother and father. I come from
a very large family and I’m right in the middle. The fifth of nine. I love our
family get-togethers and that was the hardest thing for me to part with.” 

The sacrifice was probably best described by her father who said,
“She has given up so much, but has gained everything.”

After the profession, Sister Johanna was presented with a silver
ring and a crown of thorns symbolizing her union to the crucified Christ. The
O’Donnells provided the sisters with the Osage orange tree branches from their
property to make the crown. Sister Mary Johanna wore it for the three days
following her profession. It will hang with a cross in her room and eventually
be buried with her. 

During the kiss of peace, which was more like the hug of peace
according to Cathy, she greeted all eight of her siblings as well as her 16
nieces and nephews. Many of her friends, extended family and Christendom
professors greeted her in the monastery parlor after the ceremony. She and her
family look forward to the allowed twice-a-year visits. 

Bishop Burbidge thanked Sister Johanna during the homily for her
sacrifice and inspiration. 

“After the trials and tribulations of this past year and in the
midst of the present-day challenges, I believe that it is providential that
today’s sacred liturgy speaks directly to all of us about love,” he said. “As
Sister Mary Johanna makes her solemn vows, we see the love God has for you,
sister, and the love that you have for God. You and all the Poor Clare sisters
are all truly apostles who powerfully proclaim to us that Jesus is alive and
with us. May their example strengthen and inspire all of us to go forth this
day and live for Christ alone.”

Kassock
is a freelancer in Fredericksburg.

 

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