Friars Daniel and Lucas profess perpetual vows in the Institute of the Friars of Emmaus.
On the morning of Saturday, February 4th, the main church of the São Sebastião Parish in Austin witnessed the celebration of the profession of perpetual vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity by Friars Daniel of the Sacred Heart and Lucas Soares de Paiva Silva, members of the Institute of the Friars of Emmaus. The ceremony was presided over by Bishop Gilson Andrade, who highlighted the importance of this step in the religious life of the friars.
The consecrated members took their vows before the founding fathers of the institute, the
Freis Luiz Carlos Rodrigues e José Anchieta Varela. Este ato simboliza o compromisso dos freis com sua vida religiosa e com a missão da sua família religiosa. Como parte da celebração, eles receberam o anel, símbolo de seu voto perpétuo.
Em sua homilia, Dom Gilson destacou a grandeza da resposta ao chamado de Deus na vida dos Freis Daniel e Lucas, enfatizando ainda a importância da oração na vida do vocacionado.
“We, as a Church, asked them what they intended, and they said they wished to strengthen the bonds of Baptism, the most important grace they ever received and which we share among ourselves. These new bonds will be strengthened by vows. The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. And through them, the friars want to say a radical, unconditional, total “yes”… forever! In following Jesus. To live according to the rule of the Gospel. In such a way that their lives may be mirrors of the Gospel of Christ for all of us. In the times in which we live, my brothers and sisters, perhaps it is opportune to ask how a person can be prepared to give a “yes” to God for life? This is a question that, in the hearts of many people at this moment, insists on resonating. And this “yes” is not improvised, because it is not a game, but is the fruit of a history. A history marked by a mysterious dialogue,” said the bishop.
Bishop Gilson also took the opportunity to issue a warning to those making their solemn profession: “Prayer is the soul of the vocation. Without prayer, we begin to live 'more or less'. And we also begin to cheat in our vocation. That is why it is so important to remain in this dialogue with the Lord.”
The celebration of the perpetual vows of Friars Lucas and Daniel was a moment of great importance and significance for the community of the São Sebastião Parish in Austin, and a milestone in the religious life of the friars. It was also significant for the Diocese of Nova Iguaçu, which, along with the entire Church in Brazil, is celebrating the 3rd Year of Vocations, whose theme, "Burning hearts, feet on the way" (cf. Lk 24:32-33), was chosen by the religious as the motto for this celebration.
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