The Congregation of Dominican Sisters, Cabra, celebrated the first profession of Sr Eileen O’Connell on Sunday 15 February, 2015. Sr Eileen is from Ballincollig, Co. Cork and was joined in this celebration by her parents Mary and John, her brother Tim and his wife Ailish and their two sons, Sam and Joe.  Sr Helen Mary Harmey,OP Congregation Prioress, described it as a privilege and a delight to be welcoming everyone to the profession ceremony. Sr Eileen’s cousin, Rev.Derry Murphy, a priest with the Pallotine Order was the chief celebrant.

As part of the ceremony Eileen made profession into the hands of the Congregation Prioress, Sr Helen Mary Harmey OP, “You will notice that Eileen will only vow obedience, according to our Dominican tradition” explained Sr Helen Mary. “This is because for us obedience refers not just to one of the vows, and not even to all three vows at once. It refers to the call of being a Dominican, inclusive of all elements of our life- community, prayer, study and preaching. This is our Obedience and it is marked by the value of freedom, freedom to listen to God, self and community. Our freedom is not license but has within it the demands and choice of personal and communal responsibility.”

It was a beautiful day, marked with the choir made up of the Dominican sisters whose singing held the beauty of the Dominican tradition of liturgical prayer. Sr Eileen felt the joy and prayer of so many sisters, family members and others who have journeyed with her to this day and who will continue to be of support to her along her journey.

Sr. Edel Murphy OP