Five SDBs Renew Temporary Vows

By Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB

(New Rochelle, NY – August 21) – The province of St. Philip the Apostle celebrated religious professions during their annual retreat at the Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw on Thursday, August 15, solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Five young Salesians renewed their temporary profession in the retreat house chapel. Brs. Paul Hotovy, Francis Nguyen, John Taylor, and Kevin White each renewed their vows for one year, in accord with the practice of the Salesian Society, on August 15. Br. Pascal Mukuye also renewed for one year, but on August 17, after his sister arrived at the retreat house. Fr. Dominic Tran, provincial, received their vows in the name of the rector major.

As it happened, August 15 was the rector major’s last full day in office. Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime’s resignation took effect the following day, and he awaits a new assignment from Pope Francis.

At an afternoon Mass at the Marian Shrine chapel, Br. Thomas Junis made his perpetual profession. (See separate article.)

The renewals of temporary profession took place within the celebration of Morning Prayer in the presence of more than 35 SDB confreres, eight Salesian Lay Missioners, and Br. Nguyen’s family from Virginia.

Fr. Tran gave a brief homily after Thursday’s short reading from Isaiah, taking his cue from “In my God is the joy of my soul” (61:10). That joy echoes in Mary’s Magnificat: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Lk 1:47). Fr. Tran finds that both verses reflect one of Fr. Pascual Chavez’s retreat themes, the absoluteness of God. We proclaim that God is the joy of our vocation. Our vocation isn’t an obligation or a burden even though it does involve the cross because we follow Christ. Fr. Tran stated that on Mary’s solemnity we invoke her help that God may be the joy of our souls, as he was for her. We pray especially for these young brothers of ours renewing their commitment to Christ.

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