Little Portion temporary profession

Published January 9, 2020

At the conclusion of the community’s Advent Retreat at Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, Sister Mary Kiara Elder made her temporary profession of vows as a member of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity before spiritual mother Viola Talbot Dec. 6. Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, from St. Gregory Abbey in Oklahoma, was present. 

Elder, a Colorado native, entered Little Portion Hermitage and Monastery in November 2017.  

Larry and Deb LaFond, natives of St. Louis and domestic members of the community, were in attendance as “adopted parents” for Sister Mary Kiara whose parents were not able to attend. 

The ceremony of profession included a public statement of intention placed on the altar at Mass, which is also placed in the community’s register. She was also given a new dark brown veil and a handmade wooden heart-tau, which is the emblem given to members upon their first profession. The top part of the emblem resembles a Tau cross, made famous by St. Antony of the Desert and St. Francis of Assisi. The lower portion of the emblem is a heart, signifying the community’s primary charism of charity in the world. Sister Mary Kiara’s profession was received by John Michael and Viola Talbot, founders of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.