Investiture of Sister Maria Benedicta of Our Lady

On the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, who happens to be one of Postulant Emily's favorite saints, she received our holy habit and became our newest Poor Clare novice with the new name of Sister Maria Benedicta of Our Lady. Her new patroness is St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), whose writings she discovered after entering the cloister, and for whom she subsequently developed a strong devotion.

In this video, you will witness her investiture day at the monastery, beginning with our candlelit procession from the novitiate. After Holy Mass, the investiture ceremony takes place in the privacy of our monastic chapter room, so these photos are a rare glimpse into that blessed time when Emily was actually clothed in the holy habit of St. Clare and received from Mother Abbess her new name. Watch the transformation as Postulant Emily exchanges her festive gown and former name for a new identity as a joy-filled, radiant fiancée of Christ!