Simulation?

I'm not sure what to make of this story from the Diocese of Monterey; more specifically the picture that accompanies it.

Two profess to Third Order of St. Francis

Linda Fairbanks, a horse lover from Paso Robles, and Jesus Padilla, a psychologist from Atascadero , lay prostrate on the floor of the Mission San Miguel Sunday, July 6 and dedicated their lives to the Gospel as they made final profession in the Third Order of St. Francis. When asked why she was attracted to the spirit of St. Francis, Linda replied, “I love the spirit of peace and harmony Francis taught and his love of animals.” Jesus added, “I felt I had come home.”

Sunday's Final Profession was celebrated with a mass in Spanish and English as the groups from Greenfield and San Miguel joined together to witness the two friends become Franciscan family. After their profession, Linda and Jesus were given lighted candles, symbols of the light of Christ they will carry through this life. Then they were welcomed into the family with hugs (embrazos) and a pot luck feast in the friars dining room.

First, it's abrazos, not "embrazos." Second, while I applaud Linda and Jesus for their decision to join the Third Order and wish them all the best in their journey, doesn't the picture of the "profession" suggest a simulacrum of an ordination? Kind of peculiar, no? I'm no expert on the rubrics pertaining to initiation into a Third Order, but I doubt that the imposition of the hands on the part of a layman or religious sister is, well, traditional practice.

Read the whole story here.