Simple Profession 2012

Dear Friends,

Greeting of blessings for the New Year!

This year the Franciscan Order in Singapore rejoiced as it received the first simple professions of the 3 novices, Cruzender, David and Aiden, on 7 Jan.

Those among you who were regulars at Tuesday’s evening devotion to St Anthony last year would be familiar with these 3 novices who took turns to preside over the prayers.

The Profession Mass was held at 2pm on a Saturday. Present to preside over this taking of vows was our Minister Provincial Friar Paul Smith OFM, and con-celebrating together with him were, his Grace Most Rev. John Ha, DD, SSD Archbishop of Kuching, and Rev. Father Felix Au of Kuching (brother of our novice David Au).

Also presents were the families of our novices, friars of the Singapore Custody and religious sisters and some invited friends to witness this special occasion.

Simple Profession is part of the first steps that our novices take in their initial formation to receive the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity & obedience for about 16 months; these vows are to be renewed as they continue to grow in their initial formation to understand the Franciscan spirituality and way of life.

Why 16 months? Simple vows for most religious congregation are for a year (12 months). Well, basically because of practicality as well as tradition.

Practicality because they are taking their vows at the end of their canonical novitiate which as stated in the canon law must be exactly a year or more and because there are some courses at the Seminary that they need to attend and these usually start at the beginning of the year.

Traditionally, all solemnly professed friars renew their commitments on 16 Apr to commemorate that special day when St Francis obtained the approval of his (Franciscan) way of life and the Rule from Pope Honorius
III. Therefore 1 year (12 months) plus till the month of April (4 months) equals 16 months to bring their renewal of the simple vows in line with this special occasion as well.

As our Minister Provincial Paul Smith puts very clearly, the taking of the evangelical vows is the deepening of our understanding of our baptismal promises and so the 3 vows of poverty, chastity and obedience is not something merely seen as deprivations and therefore something negative.

Rather these 3 vows should free oneself to give more fully to God and neighbours in love and service.
Although this occasion was only witnessed by a limited congregation, it is hoped that at the end of their initial formation (approximately 6 years), parishioners of St Mary of the Angels will be invited to witness their Solemn Profession where they will publicly vow for the whole of their life to our Franciscan family,
the Order of Friar Minors here in Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei.

We wish the 3 friars God’s guidance and continual graces as they continue in their formation years and we ask you in your charity to please pray for our present friars in initial formation; Desmond, Francisco, Xavier, Jason, Esmond, Clauence, Cruzender, David and Aiden that God will bless and bring their good aspirations to a good end in Solemn Profession.

Blessings!