Bancroft native professes solemn vows

By Susanne Reding
February 16, 2006

BANCROFT - Sister Ruth Marie of the Divine Child Jesus, formerly Kelli Kienitz of Bancroft, professed Solemn Vows at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery on Feb. 2, at Hanceville, Ala. Sister Ruth Marie is a cloistered Poor Clare Nun of Perpetual Adoration in the monastery established by Mother Mary Angelica, foundress of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

The daughter of Bill and LeAnn Kienitz, formerly of Bancroft and now of Leeds, Ala., Sister Ruth Marie is a 1998 graduate of North Kossuth High School at Swea City. She is the granddaughter of Dean and Helen Kienitz of Bancroft and the late Norbert and Bernice Thilges, also of Bancroft.

The Rite of Solemn Profession of Vows took place during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament with Father Joseph Mary Wolfe (Father Joseph), a Dubuque (Iowa) native, the principal celebrant. The Mass began with a Solemn Entrance and candlelight procession that highlighted the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also celebrated on Feb. 2.

Concelebrating the Mass were 15 priests including Father John Thomas and Father William McCarthy of the Diocese of Sioux City. Two other priests were also in attendance at the Mass. One priest traveled from Toronto, Canada, and others journeyed from throughout the United States to celebrate the event with Sister Ruth Marie.

The homily, given by Father Joseph, addressed how people called to the priesthood and religious life are often labeled as "crazy". Father Joseph joked, "While it may be true that some of us are a little crazy, it is not true that it is because of what we have given up, for we have simply chosen something better - or rather - Someone better has chosen us."

Father Joseph also talked about Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical, "God is Love." He explained that Pope Benedict wrote that love in a person often moves from being self-seeking to concern and care for the other and becomes "renunciation", and it is ready, and even willing, for sacrifice. "You see, without sacrifice, love is imperfect," Father Joseph explained. "Jesus said, 'There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.' That is the summary of the life of a Religious," Father Joseph said.

He compared this love to what Pope Benedict's encyclical describes as "definitive, exclusive and forever." "Love looks to the eternal - it must be forever. Quite different, isn't it, from the non-commitment mentality of today?" Father Joseph continued.

"That is the reason for Solemn Vows," he added. "It is saying I have given you everything I have to give - now all that is left to give is myself and all my time."

Addressing the 26-year-old nun, Father Joseph continued, "It is, Sister Ruth Marie, what St. Clare called a 'great, laudable exchange': to leave the things of time for those of eternity, to choose the things of heaven for the goods of earth, to receive the hundred-fold in place of one, and to possess a blessed and eternal life."

Father Joseph, a Franciscan Friar, concluded with these words from the Franciscan's founder, St. Francis, who said "Oh, how glorious it is, how holy and great to have a Father in Heaven! Oh, how holy, consoling, beautiful, and wondrous it is to have a spouse! Oh, how holy and how loving, pleasing, humble, peaceful, sweet, lovable and desirable above all things to have such a Brother and Son, who laid down His life for His sheep."

Family and friends also traveled from throughout the nation, representing several states, including Iowa, Minnesota and California as well as Alabama and its neighboring states.

Father John Thomas, pastor of St. Ann's Parish of Arcadia and St. John's Parish of Vail knew Sister Ruth Marie during his years as pastor of St. John's Parish at Bancroft in the 1990s. He was aware of her aspirations to the religious life at a young age.

The diocesan pastor joked that Sister Ruth Marie had made sure he got the best seat in the "house" as he was seated next to the main celebrant. This allowed Father Thomas to see directly into the grille behind which Sister Ruth Marie and the other cloistered Poor Clares remain during Mass. Since this area is directly to the right of the sanctuary, those attending Mass can see little of the nuns.

"I'd never seen a solemn profession before. It was a great experience for me. I was honored to concelebrate the Mass," he said.

During the solemn profession, Father Thomas said he was moved by seeing Sister Ruth Marie prostrate with the funeral pall draped over her, symbolizing dying to the world so to live solely for Christ. In summing up the experience, he said, "It was very beautiful. I couldn't help but be moved by it all."