Your prayers and presence are invited as
Mtr. Marta S. Rivera Monclova
and
Sr. Gregory Simmons
will make their initial profession of vows
in the Order of the Body of Christ
Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00pm
The Feast of Corpus Christi
Trinity Episcopal Church
120 Sigourney St., Hartford, CT
Reception to follow
On June 4, Mtr. Marta and Sr. Gregory will make their initial vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience in the Order of the Body of Christ. Our Bishop Companion, the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, will preside at the Eucharist. This will be the first profession of religious vows in the history of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. Please join us in person, online (information to come), or in prayer to celebrate this occasion.
What are “initial vows”?
Formation in religious life traditionally has four stages: postulancy, novitiate, initial profession, and life profession. During the novitiate, we do not take vows, but rather live “as if” under vows in order to prepare ourselves for this responsibility. At initial profession, we make our first vows to God, the community, and the Church as a whole. These vows are for a period of three years and may be renewed for an additional span at the end of that period. During initial profession, we live fully under and into our vows as we prepare for the commitment of life profession.
What vows do you take?
Our vows are the evangelical counsels of poverty, celibacy, and obedience, which are common to many religious orders across traditions. Read more about them at this link.
I have another question.
Please contact us! We are glad to hear from you.