A few weeks ago, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Sister Denise Marie, marking 50 years since her first profession of vows on May 8, 1975. Jubilees are joyful community events, celebrating God’s faithfulness over a lifetime. Many years have passed since Sr. Denise Marie first entered our monastery as a young and energetic postulant in her early twenties. We are grateful for the tremendous gift she has been to us over those years!

We have a special “jubilee crown” which the sister celebrating her jubilee gets to wear as we open the community celebration the night before the actual Jubilee. After each sister had a chance to greet Sr. Denise Marie, we enjoyed looking through slides from our archives, including pictures of Sr. Denise Marie as a (very cute!) postulant and novice.

Sr. Mary Catharine, a nun of our monastery currently serving a term as prioress of the Dominican monastery in the Bronx, NY, was able to join us for the celebration. She and Sr. Denise Marie sang as chantresses at the Jubilee Mass, bringing back memories of the many years they sang together as chantresses. The Mass was offered by Fr. Lynx Soliman, a priest of our diocese who, while in seminary, was Sr. Denise Marie’s “prayer partner”. She prayed him through to ordination!

The novitiate sisters with the help of a few professed put on a skit later in the day, based on Sr. Denise Marie’s life in the monastery. Part inspiring, part hilarious, it was well done and well acted! Sr. Maria Mercedes (playing Sr. Denise Marie) and Sr. Maria Rose choreographed and performed a dance as part of the skit like one of the many Sr. Denise Marie used to perform with the other sisters on special occasions “back in the day.”

It was a great gift as we celebrated Sr. Denise Marie’s jubilee to also celebrate the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV! His election was announced as we enjoyed a talking meal in our community room, and we were able to watch as he made his first appearance.

Below, you can enjoy a few photos of the day!