Sister Mary Seraphina receives communion from Bishop John N. Tran March 27 after taking her temporary vows as a diocesan hermit. She promised chastity, poverty and obedience to the archbishop. Photo by Julianna Leopold

SNELLVILLE—Monica Frank, now known as Sister Mary Seraphina of the Divine Will, professed first vows as a hermit in the Archdiocese of Atlanta March 27.

The religious profession of temporary vows and investiture was at St. Oliver Plunkett Church in Snellville. Sister Mary Seraphina professed vows of chastity, poverty and obedience before Bishop John N. Tran, as the delegate of the archbishop.

Her vows are for a period of three years and made after a time period of discernment, guided by Brother Nicholas Wolfla, delegate for religious and for canonical affairs in the archdiocese.

“It takes time to see if the life is really meant for you,” he said.

The applicant writes a rule of life prior to professing vows. The hermit lives a life in solitude devoted to prayer, penance and fasting, explained Brother Nicholas. Sister Mary Seraphina will live in her own hermitage “off the beaten path,” he said.

The Snellville parish hosted the Mass and vow profession for Sister Mary Seraphina as its pastor, Father Cyriac Mattathilanickal, MS, has been very supportive of her journey.

As part of the rite of profession, Bishop Tran blessed sister’s religious habit with holy water and presented it to her saying, “Receive this habit and veil as signs of your consecration. May you be as closely united to the Lord in your heart as they proclaim you to be.”