Not many parish churches in the world get to witness the dramatic liturgy of a Religious Profession ceremony but St Brendan’s Church in Ganmain was blessed to witness five such events over the past 30 years.

On 1 October at a Mass presided over by Catholic Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, a large congregation and many priests both local and from afar came to Ganmain to celebrate Sister Mary Annunciata Burns’ perpetual profession of vows in which she would do what modern age considers sheer madness: give up her right to possessions, to marry and have a family and to do as she pleases in life, and all for one reason – to respond radically to God’s love with her own.

Originally from the Lismore diocese, raised in a devout Catholic family, Elyse Burns, entered the Conventual Sisters of St Dominic in 2016 having completed her Liberal Arts degree at Campion College, Sydney.

The Dominican profession liturgy, set in the context of a solemn Mass, does much to reveal many of the truths about Religious Life beautifully reflected in Bishop Mark’s inspiring homily.

As the Church’s representative, the Bishop invited Sister forward to express publicly her full, free and conscious intention to unite herself to God forever; to strive for perfect love of Him and neighbour by living the Gospel as a Dominican; to dedicate herself to prayer, life-long conversion and good works and to be set apart as a Bride of Christ.

Then, in what is the most dramatic gesture of the Dominican profession ceremony, Sister prostrated herself full-length at the foot of the sanctuary in the form of a cross while the Litany of the Saints was sung.

Before the Offertory, placing her hands in the hands of the Prioress, Sister Mary Annunciata made her perpetual vows.

Like some other older Orders, Dominicans specifically vow only obedience – the essence and programme of Christ’s entire life. The understanding is that in this vow of obedience - the greatest gift anyone can offer God - the vows of consecrated chastity and evangelical poverty are included.

Following this, was the Church’s prayer of consecration.

She then received the insignia of her consecrated life – the veil, signifying her being set apart for God, the ring, her espousal to Christ, and the breviary, the reminder of her office of prayer for the whole Church and in the name of the Church.