ALMA, Mich. – The Religious Sisters of Mercy received five new novices into their community recently, including one who served the final year of her postulancy in the Diocese of Lake Charles.
Sister Peter Miriam, RSM, who received her religious name at the ceremony, worked in the office of Bishop Glen John Provost over the past year.
According to Sr. Mary Vianney Walsh, RSM, director of Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana and Secretary for the Ministry of Pastoral Services of the Diocese, the novitiate is a preparatory stage for the religious life.
“Someone who desires to enter the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma first experiences a year of postulancy which sometimes is preceded by a year of pre-postulancy,” Sr. Mary Vianney said, “If the young woman desires to continue her formation and is accepted by the institute, she begins the two year period of novitiate."
Sr. Mary Vianney continued, saying, “During the entrance ceremony the postulants express their desire in these words: ‘Drawn by God’s mercy, we have come here to learn your way of life. We ask you to teach us to follow Christ crucified and to live in poverty, obedience, chastity and service. Teach us to persevere in prayer and penance, in the service of the Church and of humankind. Teach us to be one with you in heart and mind. Help us to live out the Gospel every day of our lives. Teach us your rule, and help us to learn to love our Sisters as Christ commanded us.’ Then the Sisters receive the religious habit and a new name.”
Religious Sisters of Mercy serving in the Diocese of Lake Charles include Sr. Mary Vianney, RSM; Sr. Marirose Rudek, RSM; and Sr. Mary Elizabeth Ann McCullough, RSM. Sr. Marirose is the Director of Religious Education while Sr. Mary Elizabeth Ann is Director of Religious Education at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School in Lake Charles.
