In a joyful Mass at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw, four women professed their Perpetual Vows as Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan on Aug. 16. The women who professed are Sister Maria José Perez, Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, Sister Mary Simone Haakansson and Sister Maria Amata Rossi.

For the four women, the profession of vows was the culmination of years of religious formation along with their professional education. Bishop Robert Gruss celebrated the Mass.

During the Mass, each sister professed her vows— including poverty, chastity, obedience and the service of the poor, sick and ignorant— while kneeling before Mother Mary Christa Nutt, RSM, superior general of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. After each sister had professed vows, Bishop Robert Gruss prayed a solemn prayer of consecration over the sisters. Mother Mary Christa then placed a ring signifying their religious profession on the finger of each sister, reminding them that they are betrothed to the eternal King, Jesus.