In a joyful Mass, Sister Maria Guadalupe and Sister Thomas Miriam White professed their perpetual vows as Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw on Aug. 16.

Their profession of perpetual vows comes at the end of nearly a decade of formation and discernment with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, which they entered as postulants in 2017.

During the Mass, each sister professed her vows, reading from a handwritten formulary, while kneeling before Mother Mary Christa Nutt, Superior General of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Bishop Robert Gruss then prayed a solemn prayer over her. Mother Mary Christa Nutt then placed a ring signifying religious profession on their finger, a reminder that they are betrothed to the eternal King, Jesus.

Written on Sister Maria Guadalupe’s ring is the motto, “Athirst for the living God." Sister Thomas Maria’s ring reads, “Adoro Te devote,” (Devoutly I adore you), which is the first line of a hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas.