All Catholics make their profession of faith when baptized and renew it every year on Easter. By profession, we all put our faith in God and it means a lot for the believers. Surely it means much more for the religious persons when they make their profession of religious vows; poverty, chastity, and obedience because by doing so with faith, they put their entire life in God’s hand, just to be with Him and to walk along the path He has shown. In today’s gospel of Luke, Jesus tells us that with faith, we can do far more than we could accomplish by our own strength, by our own power. Expectant faith is a free gift God gives us to overcome the obstacles and stoppages along the way of doing God’s will and it enables us to accept God’s grace and power for accomplishing whatever God wants us to do. Jesus encourages us to have this faith, even if as small as a mustard seed, it is something dynamic, active and very alive.
It is this faith that enables our five Dominican brothers to renew their religious profession in the province of our Lady of the Rosary. During the Mass of 27th Ordinary Sunday, these five brothers made their renewal of religious vows in the hand of the prior of St Dominic House in Macau, in place of the Master of the Order of Preachers. Being a part of missionary province, they additionally declared their intention to go to the missions of the Province wherever they may be assigned by the superiors. The brothers who made their renewal of religious vows are; Bro. Peter Phan Ngo Xuan Thoai O.P, Bro. Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Huy O.P, Bro. Antonio Lee O.P, Bro. Mario U Shwe O.P, and Bro. Matthew Shing Mang Htun O.P.
After the ceremony, I curiously asked each of them how they felt or how they were inspired to do their renewal of religious profession, to continue the dedicated life as a religious. Here are their answers:
“I’m happy because I believe that God, the Church and the Province are also pleased with my response.â€
“Strengthened by renewing my commitment to God and community, I believe that with God’s help and the support from the community, I can pursue my calling with hope and joy as a religious.â€
“I’m happy to make my renewal profession. I believe God’s calling to be a Dominican. I would like to follow Him forever as a Dominican brother and our Mother Mary will guide me to her Sonâ€.
“To follow Christ, especially as a religious, it’s the best adventure I have ever. I am very happy and thank God for His graces and I hope I’ll be trying to follow what I have professedâ€.
“I eventually feel much better than before, especially when I renew my religious vows. I feel it brings me closer to God and hopefully I will be a good follower of Christ in futureâ€.
After hearing their answers, I feel I am deeply inspired to renew my religious vows for life. I do believe that in religious profession, we are bound and united in a community that lives in the evangelical counsels and in the community we, brothers help one another with the strength and support to follow Christ as our Father Dominic followed.
Bro. Paul Aung Myint Win O.P