Two Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., who served in the diocese make their perpetual vows
By Maggie Parsons
Great joy surrounded the congregation in the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, Mich., on Aug. 16 to celebrate four Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., professing their perpetual vows.
Mother Mary Christa Nutt, RSM (right), superior general of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, leads the profession of vows for (from left) Sister Maria Amata Rossi, Sister Mary Simone Haakansson, Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, and Sister Maria Jose Perez. (Courtesy of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich.)
Sister Mary Simone Haakansson and Sister Maria Amata Rossi, who both previously served in the Diocese of Knoxville, professed their perpetual vows. Sister Mary Simone was the executive secretary to the apostolic administrator, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre, for a year before also assisting the bishop-elect, now Bishop Mark Beckman. Sister Maria Amata also served the bishop’s office as executive secretary under Bishop Emeritus Richard F. Stika.
On the day of the profession of perpetual vows in the Saginaw cathedral, friends and family attended for the Sisters, having traveled many miles, coming from Canada, Sweden, and even Australia.
“As we gather this day on this joyous occasion, we lift our hearts and minds in gratitude for all the Lord has given to us, but more importantly what the Lord has done through these Sisters who have presented themselves for these final vows,” Bishop Robert D. Gruss, bishop of Saginaw, said in the opening prayer of the Mass.
In attendance from the Diocese of Knoxville were Deacon Sean Smith, chancellor and chief operating officer of the diocese; Father Mark Schuster, director of vocations for the diocese and pastor at St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville; and Father Christopher Floersh, parochial administrator at St. Albert the Great Parish in Knoxville.
The four Sisters who were to profess their vows walked down the aisle during the procession holding lit candles, symbolizing that the perpetual vows they profess are rooted in their baptismal promises.
Sister Maria Amata, Sister Mary Simone, Sister Gianna Marie, and Sister Maria Jose sing during the Mass on Aug. 16 where they professed their perpetual vows. (Courtesy of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich)
“Each in their own unique way, I think, is a specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ lived out within the Church. You always remember that these vows do not constrain or limit your freedoms in any fashion, shape, or form. These vows make true freedom and sacrificial love possible, whereby you’re able to freely give your life away for the sake of the kingdom of God,” the bishop said in his homily.
As part of the vows ceremony, the bishop asked the congregation to kneel and pray for the servants whom he has called to religious life. While the congregation knelt, the four Sisters laid prostrate before the altar as the congregation chanted the Litany of the Saints.
“As we laid prostrate on the floor and together with the whole congregation, we asked the saints, who loved God so much during their earthly life, to intercede for us so that we may follow in their footsteps and seek to grow in love of God and our neighbor each day of our lives,” Sister Mary Simone said, speaking of the love she felt while lying at the altar during the Litany of the Saints.
After the litany, each Sister knelt before Mother Mary Christa Nutt, RSM, superior general of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, professing their handwritten vows. The superior general responded to each Sister saying, “I accept your vows.” The superior general gave Sister Mary Simone permission to profess her vows in Swedish, her native language. Sister Mary Simone said that was very special to her, especially with her family in attendance.
Adding to the beauty of the ceremony, the Sisters who professed their vows received a ring. Engraved on the inside of each ring was a motto chosen by the Sister. Sister Mary Simone chose “My Love Is Crucified,” while Sister Maria Amata chose “Abide in My Love.” The superior general invited each Sister to kneel in front of her one at a time and placed the rings on their fingers saying, “Receive this ring, for you are betrothed to the eternal King; keep faith with your Bridegroom so that you may come to the wedding feast of eternal joy.”
After the ceremony, the guests were welcomed to the basement of the church for a reception, where guests could speak with the Sisters and express their congratulations to the four who professed their perpetual vows. The Sisters also invited the guests back to the church after the reception for a holy hour to pray the rosary and participate in evening prayer with the religious community.
“It was an experience of profound gratitude, gratitude as I walked in and saw my family members and friends from so many different years and places,” Sister Mary Simone said, sharing her feelings surrounding the joyous day.
Sister Maria Amata Rossi (left) and Sister Mary Simone Haakansson carry lit candles in the procession during the Mass where they made their perpetual vows. The lit candles symbolize the Sisters’ baptismal promises. (Courtesy of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich. )
“Gratitude for this religious community, which truly is the greatest blessing in my life! And most of all gratitude to God, for the infinite mercy He has shown me in my life, for leading me and guiding me each step of the way.”
A tradition of the Sisters following the final profession of vows every Aug. 16 is to go to Merrill Dairy Bar, an ice cream shop in Saginaw.
Dozens of Sisters came to the ice cream shop in many cars, and all ordered their ice cream, which varied from regular vanilla to shakes, sundaes, and many more. According to the Sisters, the first time they visited the shop, its employees couldn’t believe all of the customers who flooded in, and they were amazed there were dozens of Sisters. When the four Sisters who professed their vows that day arrived at the ice cream shop, their community gathered around and welcomed them with a song, which is another tradition.
“This is a fun, joyful tradition!” Sister Maria Amata remarked, noting the shared ice cream is an additional way the Sisters celebrate together.
The Religious Sisters of Mercy were founded by Venerable Catherine McAuley in 1831. After the Second Vatican Council, many religious orders reflected on what to do with their orders, and with the help of the Church, the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Mich., were established in 1973. Within the Diocese of Knoxville, there is a convent near the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Religious Sisters of Mercy’s values are mercy, union, and charity. The Sisters follow the corporal works of mercy and serve their community in diverse ways.
In the Diocese of Knoxville, the Sisters help run the St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic, which provides free health care to the uninsured in East Tennessee. They also serve the diocese at the Chancery offices. The Sisters take a vow of obedience and can be placed around the country or in other countries.
The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, while they live a very obedient life, also live a very joyous one. Their order is a strong community of faith and love, where they take care of each other and live their lives for the Lord.
“I remember wondering as a child, ‘What if God called me to do something? What would He ask me? How would I hear Him?’ I had no idea that one day I would indeed hear the Lord calling me to follow Him in a radical way, and I have learned well that God has a far better plan for my life than I could come up with myself!” Sister Maria Amata said about her journey to religious life.
“If God is calling you to religious life, He is calling you to a more beautiful adventure than anything you could ever have hoped for or imagined for your life,” Sister Mary Simone said.
“It is a call to a new and special bond of love with Him, to get to know Him more closely, and to let Him lead you each step of your life,” she noted.
