Sunday, September 22 , brother Frédéric Lavoie of the Eastern Canadian Province made ​​vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in the presence of the brothers, family and many friends.  

The following an excerpt from the homily delivered by his provincial minister, Louis Cinq-Mars, and a few pictures .

 

"Religious life is a Christian way of life, a way in which God is the center and all! It's a different way of life other vocations, and has its own requirements including the plowing your own inner world. It is a different way to live the basic human vocation to which we are all called: choose life and be fruitful.

At the heart of the religious life there is an encounter with God and a call to build our lives from this intimate and romantic encounter. The radical demand of this call is to enter into the moment and never look back. "Do you remember anything of you, wrote St. Francis, that you receive all the integers which gives you the whole."

In Canada there are currently more than 16,000 religious and the average age is  over 78 years. Despite the decline and aging, religious life retains its strength and its meaning: it is a reminder that a happy, full and fruitful life can be built from an intimate relationship with God and in reality no life can not be happy without a full and fruitful relationship with God, our source.

In a society that says that happiness lies in personal success at any price or performance, the vowed religious announces through there life that happiness is actually in the gift of self, passing from egocentric to welcoming and serve our brothers and sisters. "

The following reflection was written by Br. Michael Mascarenhas. Br. Michael professed his first vows as a Capuchin earlier this summer.

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER... 

  On July 18th 2013, I professed temporary vows during evening Mass at St. Philip Neri parish in Toronto. It was a very          emotional experience for me. I felt God`s presence as I recited the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in front of my   brothers and members of my family. I felt at peace and I was full of joy.  My family was there with me, and I was home in my province. It meant a lot to me for them to be there.   I spent the last three and a half years discerning my vocation with the Capuchins, including this past year in my novitiate in Santa Inez, California.  It all led up to that moment where I professed my temporary vows before God. My provincial was emotional and I also felt like crying when I professed my vows and I remembered how far I have come and how much growth I have made. I remember thinking after the Mass how it was all worthwhile. I am a different person now than I was when I began this journey three years ago. I’m grateful for the support over these beginning years.   I feel God has called me to live as a Capuchin friar and I thank Him for always being by my side. I    always think about that evening. It was so special and I will never forget it.   Bro. Michael Mascarenhas, ofm, cap

The following reflection was written by Br. Fadi Touma. Br. Fadi professed his first vows as a Capuchin earlier this summer.

Again

For as long as I can remember, I have been seeking to be united with the Crucified Christ. To follow in His footprints is all I strive to do in life. This has not been an easy task and I do not always succeed, for I am a sinner. I have had many trials that have led me down dark paths; however, I have also had many blessings that, by the grace of God, have allowed me to continue to be open to the Spirit working in my life.

After a year of intense prayer and discernment during novitiate, the Holy Spirit led me to falling to my knees to profess poverty, chastity, and obedience. Again. This was not the first time I put my hands into a superior to profess public vows. I was too young to really appreciate the value of vows. They were beautiful words that I proclaimed; however, I didn’t understand. God held onto me when I left the Franciscans of the Holy Land. God held onto me when I decided to follow my family to Canada. God held onto me while I was walking down the path of selfishness. God held onto me when I sought money over His infinite love.

After I experienced intense loneliness and a sense of misdirection in life, He allowed me to return to Him to truly give myself to Him this time. When I was invested with the Capuchin habit, I felt my nakedness clothed with love. The wandering child returned home to Christ. As I said earlier, at vows, I fell to my knees. I knew of my lowliness and my desire to submit to humble Christ on the cross. Proclaiming vows this time was like confessing my love for Christ. I smiled. I cried. I loved. The words were beautiful, and I knew it this time.

As I continue to come to understand the meaning of vows, I ask that the Lord strengthen my desire for Him. I pray that I may let go of my fear of insecurity and rest in the love that Jesus has for me. The vows that I have taken are now a journey. At times, I know that the vows will take me, for I am weak and a sinner. But Christ’s love will never fail me. May our father St Francis pray for me to follow the footprints of Christ living His Gospel the best I can each day.

May God give you peace and rest.

Vocation Discernment Weekend.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of giving a vocation discernment weekend at Mount Alverno, near Orangeville, Ontario. Six prospective candidates spent the weekend with Br. Michael, Br. Fadi and myself. We took time to learn and practice creation centered prayer on the beautiful grounds of the retreat centre.

I wish to thank the guys who came to the weekend as well as Br. Fadi and Michael who help me. I pray that the men were inspired by the weekend.

God Bless

Br. Stephen