Sr. Mary Louise Seiler professes first vows as an IHM
By Sr. Edith Marie Lamborn
There was great rejoicing at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Andale on May 3. Sr. Mary Louise Seiler, IHM, professed her first vows into the hands of Mother Cecilia Marie Hammersley during the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Professing to live the three evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience for one year, Sr. Mary Louise commenced life as a Bride of Christ.
Sr. Mary Louise was baptized at St. Joseph Parish 24 years prior. She was raised by Theodore Seiler and Debra Hawkins, and attended Hutchinson Community College and Emporia State University before entering the convent on Aug. 14, 2022. Sister was received as a novice on Feb. 11, 2023, taking Our Lady as her primary patroness and St. Louis de Montfort as her secondary patron.
Following her profession of vows, Sr. Mary Louise will return to college in the fall semester to complete her degree in secondary education, biology.
IHM Sisters Chaplain Fr. John Hay celebrated the profession Mass. His homily centered on the mystery of vocation, reminding Sister Mary Louise that “you have been chosen, and chosen for the most sacred service of all: to live for heaven and remind everyone by your way of life of what Leon Bloy said so well many years ago: ‘the only tragedy in life is not to become a saint.’”
Fr. Hay entrusted Sr. Mary Louise, and each of those called to consecrated life, to the perfect example – Mary. As Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Hay reminded the sisters that they “can take no better model than Mary for such an endeavor [union with God]. Mary, who without perfect understanding, said, fiat, may this be done to me as you – God – desire.”
Professing one’s vows involves not only an internal change, but an external one as well. The evening before her profession, Sister received the blue dress of the habit, along with a cincture, a crucifix, and the rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. After professing her vows, Sr. Mary Louise received the scapular and the badge of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and her white veil was exchanged for black, symbolizing her total consecration.
Sr. Mary Louise’s joy was evident. “On the day of my vows, many of my sisters asked for my prayers saying, ‘Jesus will not refuse His bride on her wedding day,’” she said. “It was a great blessing to hear such confidence in the power of my intercession, and now each time I receive an intention, I am reminded of my new place in the life of the Church. As a bride of Christ, blessed to be set apart exclusively for him, I look forward to offering my life and prayers as a gift to the Church.”
Sr. Edith Marie Lamborn is a sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.