It is a long-standing custom in the community
that
when a sister makes her Final Profession, she
chooses a motto that expresses her life with
God and the community. The motto is then inscribed
on her ring, the symbol of life-long commitment
in the IBVM.
Judy Illig, IBVM
THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME LIVES.
 As a child I recognized and treasured the gift of faith given to me by God and nurtured by my family.
My Final Profession occurred just shortly after my youngest brother died. These words of Jesus, “The one who believes in Me lives,” seemed most appropriate for the theme of our liturgy celebrating David’s life, and then for the motto on my ring.
My faith has grown through all the experiences of my life – through my family life, my education with our IBVM sisters, my IBVM community life, and all the wonderful, grace-filled people I have come to know and enriching experiences in which I have been privileged to share.
Belief in God and God’s unconditional love for all has been the source of strength, inspiration and joy which has guided my life.
Mary Gleason, IBVM
THROUGH GOD WITH GOD AND IN GOD
 Quite a few years ago I was asked what I would choose as my motto. What would I build my future as a religious of the IBVM upon? After a few playful attempts like, “What’s it to you, alleluia?” I began to really reflect on what would guide my future. Trust that God knew why I was called to be a religious guided me through many possibilities. Most of my friends and many relatives all thought that I would never survive and pass the grade to be a religious and I did suspect that they may be correct. So when the prayer, through God with God and in God, crossed my path, it fit like a glove. My friends and I all knew that I could never be a sister and follow God’s ways without a lot of help. There is a similar prayer during the liturgy of the Eucharis each day that I often use to reflect on this motto.
This prayer has guided me along many paths since my early IBVM days and led me into initiating a full time retreat program for children called, “Circle of God’s Friends”. Youth love hearing that God is with and in them each and every day also. I am still a very grateful religious who knows my need for God to work with, through and in me each and every day.
Archives - Sisters Ring Mottos
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