New Zealander Sister Anne Marie (Hannah Loeman) was pictured dressed in her 'traditional' habit. The Mass and profession ceremony was conducted by Tridentine priest Fr Thomas Le Gal.
Hannah Loeman has joined the Carmelites of the Holy Face of Jesus.
The convent is in Leap West Cork. There are at present two woman in the convent or hermitage, the newcomer and Mother Irene Gibson.
Later in the week the nuns were back in the news. This time Mother Irene was being brought to court by Cork County Council over an alleged breach of planning laws.
The profession of Hannah Loeman was her first gentle step to becoming a full member of the Carmelite Nuns of the Holy Face of Jesus.
The officiating priest Fr Thomas Le Gal celebrates the Tridentine Mass, also called the Traditional Latin Mass. It was the version of the Mass that was celebrated from 1570 to 1962.
According to information available on Fr Le Gal he is contactable in Dublin, Kilkenny, Derry and Clogher under a French telephone number.
It's always worth noting the media's interest in publishing stories about members of religious congregations who dress in their traditional garb.
Only this week RTE showed footage of religious sisters dressed in their habits voting in the last divorce referendum.
Occasionally we see newspaper photographs of women and men cycling bicycles or playing football in their religious habits. It's considered a news story, something different, something out of the ordinary, a touch of sensationalism.
It is of course a nonsense to cycle wearing any sort of religious habit. A publicity stunt?
What is it about habits that catch the eye of journalists?
The founder of the Dominicans, St Dominic wore clothing that was in tone with the poor people of his time.
Today the habit could easily be interpreted as a fashion accessory. It allows people to stand out, to look 'different'.
Shakespeare's wise words in Hamlet come to mind when Polonius talks of the 'apparel oft proclaims the man [woman]'.
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