From left to right, Jean Sanderson, Renae Baxter and Diana Reyant were received into the St. Juliana Community of the Secular Servites Sept. 18. Prioress Kathy Mai and formation representative Pam Verdegan were witness to their promises. (Submitted photo)
The Rite of Promise of the St. Juliana Community of the Secular Servites took place in the Servants of Mary Sisters’ Residence Chapel in Ladysmith, Wednesday, Sept. 18.
The candidates, Renae Baxter and Jean Sanderson, both from Ladysmith, and Diana Reyant, Hartland, pronounced their promises and were received into the Order of Secular Servants of Mary.
Kathy Mai, the St. Juliana Community prioress, and Pam Verdegan, formation representative, were present as witnesses to the promises.
Sr. Marguerite Samz, OSM, assistant to the St. Juliana Community, represented the Order of Servants of Mary. Fr. Papi Reddy Yeruva, celebrant of the Mass, reflected on the Secular Servite vocation in his homily.
Prior to their reception as Secular Order members, Baxter, Reyant, and Sanderson participated in a yearlong formation and study program and attended meetings and activities of the St. Juliana Community.
The Secular Order of the Servants of Mary consists of lay men and women living out their baptismal consecration in the world. They commit themselves to follow in their family and social life the path of the seven holy founders of the Servants of Mary. They unite themselves in the service of Jesus Christ and their sisters and brothers by drawing on the inspiration of Mary, the mother and servant of Jesus.
Members of the St. Juliana Community, Ladysmith, serve others through their works of mercy, volunteer services and local community involvement.
Following the ceremony was a reception and social gathering with family and friends in the sisters’ residence dining room.
