I remember seeing the movie, The Nun, staring Audrey Hepburn, years ago but I have never attended a real profession of perpetual vows. How many of you had attended such a ceremony?
Last week, thirteen members of my family headed to the boonies of Texas, and a place called Prayer Town built in the desert. Prayer Town is home to a Franciscan Charismatic Religious community. We stayed at the convent to attend the celebration of vows of a lovely opera singer who left the glitter of a promising career and became a humble nun.
Baskets of flowers decorated the big chapel as if a wedding was about to take place.
Her face radiant, Sister RM walked toward the altar between her mother and father, wearing her usual gray robe and navy chasuble and holding a bouquet of flowers. A beautiful corsage contrasted with her severe outfit.
While the music played, the guests sat on the left side of the church, and Sister RM sat on the right side with the congregation of nuns. 
A bishop had traveled to Prayer Town to celebrate the special Mass and bless the new nun.
A bishop had traveled to Prayer Town to celebrate the special Mass and bless the new nun.
During the Mass, Sister RM knelt in front of the bishop and answered his questions. At some point, she lay down on the floor while everyone knelt and prayed.
The bishop blessed her. Her face glowing with happiness, she stood and pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Then the bishop slid a silver ring on her finger.
After the religious part, came the civil one. Sister RM signed official papers in which she renounced all her possessions and inheritance. Two witnesses signed the documents that would be sent to the county.
A catered reception followed the ceremony attended by the family of Sister RM, the nuns and about fifty friends from the neighboring areas.
After the buffet lunch, Sister RM cut her cake, a sumptuous cake decorated with a cross, and then the entertainment started.
Some of the nuns and family members related anecdotes about Sister RM. 
The nuns played music and sang. But at the general request, Sister RM sang a scene from Romeo and Juliette, and another from La Traviata. Her incredible voice filled the place and gave me goose bumps. 
Here is a sweet young woman who has dedicated her life and talents to the service of God and the needy.
The nuns played music and sang. But at the general request, Sister RM sang a scene from Romeo and Juliette, and another from La Traviata. Her incredible voice filled the place and gave me goose bumps. 
Here is a sweet young woman who has dedicated her life and talents to the service of God and the needy. 
We bypassed the shopping, rented a taxi and went straight to the ferry for St. John Island. 
Certainly the most photographed and printed beach in the island magazines. 
After admiring the beautiful turquoise color of the Carribean Sea, we enjoyed the day on the Dutch side of the island.
Apparently 16,000 tourists visited St. Maarten on Thanksgiving Day. Can you count four ships?
But the dear old people left us one after the other. So this year we decided to break the tradition that held sweet and painful memories. 
After a day at sea, we docked at Princess Cay, an island owned by the Princess company, and lunched on the beach. Here are some pictures taken on Princess Cay Island. For the next three days I will post pictures of St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. John islands and Grand Turk.
Older people lay on comfortable lounge chairs. 
