The Vows or the Solemn Promises as an Expression of Faith.
Dear Parishioners, the number of priests, religious men and women coming from a family or from a designated community of believers could also be a good indication of the degree of faith in that family or community. This may not be a totally 100% valid statement, but it contains some truth, it is a pointer to a certain reality – we cannot harvest mangoes from a pear tree; a cat cannot deliver a dog; same causes produce same effects; garbage in garbage out. These are the truths.
Consecrated life is a style or way of living Christian life. Its point of departure is a charism communicated by the Spirit to a founder to follow Jesus in a consecration through vows lived in communion for mission. Among the characteristic aspects of the spirituality of consecrated life there is the fact of living one’s faith, hope and Christian love beginning with the commitment of the vows or solemn promises. These vows introduce special tones in the way of living a faith life. This way of life is not for all but for those who are strong or better put, for those who are called to it. In fact, vows are all and all that a religious has. Until he or she tampers with any one of them and sees the consequences he or she will never know the value of what he or she has. Anything that affects the vows, therefore affects the faith of the religious person since the vows are a practical way of living one’s faith to the fullest.
A vowed religious is zealous for the reign of God. We believe our commitment to this countercultural lifestyle heralds the coming of Christ’s reign. It takes a lot of dedication to constantly witness in this form of life; it is daily work, a life lived in grace.
There is a lot of variety among religious communities about how the vows are lived and even which vows are taken. Some monastic communities take a vow of stability, meaning that the monastery will remain their home as long as they are alive, even when they displace themselves physically. In some communities, the sisters and brothers may take a fourth vow such as hospitality or service to the poor or evangelical ministry with the sick. By our commitment and our unique lifestyle, we give our whole selves to God: body, wealth, will and hope.
But what is a vow? A vow is a free and deliberate promise made to God. It is a voluntary act of religion by which we deliberately bind ourselves to something better, which is not commanded by God but proposed for those who can. It is a sign of self-offering. As religious, we bind ourselves with vows in total self-giving to God. Vows bind us in conscience and must be lived in a spirit of generosity and love. Built on our baptismal promise, vows enhance a better living of our faith, a mature life of faith, living our baptismal promises in a radical manner.
When we say that a vow is a free and deliberate act, we are saying a lot – we mean that vows are for human beings and not for animals. Any Christian may be moved by the Spirit to embrace any or all the evangelical counsels privately. But if someone wishes to enter religious life, he/she must vow to live all the three evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. Religious life requires public solemn promises or vows, which means these vows are organized and regulated under the Church’s approval, and the profession of these must be officially accepted by the Church. Profession is a voluntary act; it cannot be done out of force or coercion. Let us pray daily that God may continue to inspire more young men and women to wholeheartedly offer their lives to His service in vowed lifestyle. God’s call does not lead you where His grace is absent.
Happy Sunday to you all!