Sister Gertrude’s Golden Jubilee of Monastic Profession

In this joyful season of Eastertide, we had double reason to be glad as we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Monastic Profession of Sister Gertrude Kelly on 24th April.  Sr Gertrude entered St Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn on 21st October, 1963 and made her First Profession on 24th April 1966.  She made her Solemn Monastic Profession on 24th April 1969.  In his opening words at the Eucharist celebrating her Golden Jubilee, celebrant Fr Patrick Ryan of Mt Melleray Abbey commented that ’50 years is a very long time to be privileged with the knowledge of God’s great love and mercy’. Sr Gertrude has served the community for many years in various roles.  As our archivist and librarian, she also has a keen appreciation of the history of our property which dates back to the early 1600’s and of our Cistercian community at Glencairn, founded in 1932, which is evidenced in her 2005 publication ‘Glimpses of Glencairn’.We thank God for the gift of Sister Gertrude’s vocation to our community and pray especially on this day for all her special intentions.’There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savour the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.’Psalm 26(27)Photo: Mother Marie and Sister Gertrude on her Golden Jubilee