2nd Anniversary of Religious Profession

On 31 May, the Feast of the Visitation of Our Lady, I together with nine of my brethren will celebrate our second year of vowed life. Most of the younger Jesuits celebrate their profession anniversaries on this day. Two years ago, after much prayer, reflection, and discernment, I made the commitment to offer my entire life to the Lord in the service of His Church as a Jesuit. As I look back, I can only utter words of gratitude to God for having given me the grace to live life as a religious and for having supported me with His immense love and mercy in living out my religious consecration.

Tomorrow, Six young men will profess their perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Society of Jesus. We pray that all Jesuits will remain faithful to their religious profession and will truly entrust their lives to the love of God.

*A bit of information: the Society of Jesus is the only religious Order (I suppose) to have mandated that the rite of profession of vows be done before Holy Communion, professing the formula right in front of Jesus' Body & Blood. Its meaning is simple; we Jesuits offer our entire selves to Jesus and to His Church through the vows we profess, and after professing, Jesus likewise offers His entire self to dwell in us and to grant us the grace to live out our vows faithfully. Our vow celebration then is a mutual offering of selves between the Jesuit and Jesus Himself. You may wonder what we Jesuits would babble during the profession, below is the approved English Formula of our vows:

Almighty and eternal God, I, RUBEN Jr. Jose Maria Rubio BULLECER -- ORBETA, though altogether most unworthy in your divine sight, yet relying on your infinite goodness and mercy and moved with a desire of serving you, in the presence of the most Holy Virgin Mary and your whole heavenly court, vow to Your Divine Majesty perpetual poverty, chastity and obedience in the Society of Jesus; and I promise that I shall enter the same Society in order to lead my entire life in it, understanding all things according to its Constitutions.

Therefore I suppliantly beg Your Immense Goodness and Clemency, through the blood of Jesus Christ, to deign to receive this holocaust in an odor of sweetness; and that just as you gave me the grace to desire and offer this, so you will also bestow on me abundant grace to fulfill it.

Just the "reminiscing" part of me, here are some of the photos taken during our religious profession last 31 May 2005.

My Vow Profession Batch (31 May 2005)

Having reached our seats after the procession

The beginning of the celebration

The Exchange of Peace

Professing my Vows super hostiam

Receiving Holy Communion from the Novice Master

Receiving my Vow Crucifix from the Provincial Superior

Prosperity Pose right after the Eucharist

A pose with my family

A pose with my parents

A pose with my niece, Sofia Bettina

Final pose with the community after dinner

Thank you and God bless you.