June 8, 2015

  • Professed my vows

    Thoughts

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    After two years in initial formation (first as a Postulant then as a novice), I finally made my public profession of vows to the God, the Church, and the Order of Carmelites (OCarm).

    The journey was not easy, but it was not difficult either, thanks to the God's grace.

    In fact, it was very colorful and in the coming days, allow me to share with you my journey as I share my reflections for various significant chapters of this journey.

    To all the people who made this journey extra special, my gratitude.

    Here is the vow I made before my Prior Provincial, my brothers in the Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma, and family and friends present on that very auspicious day:

    Statement of Committment

    Loosely translated:

    I heard and felt the cry and sighs of my brethrens who are struggling because of exploitation and the unjust system in our society.

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    The living God who works in the history of the people have called me and inspired me to serve. I was molded by history on the true worth of life. And the rich tradition of the Brotherhood of the Carmelites has shaped and strengthened my whole being.

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    As I offer myself to the life of faith and service, I believe that to live together with the people is true freedom in the living out of the vows rooted in Christ.

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    The vow of Obedience - to feel and hear the cry of the poor and to be faithful to the principles of the Order of Carmel; Poverty - to struggle against unjust and inhumane systems and to genuinely live the life of majority of our people; Chastity - the freedom to offer my life and to be open for a more effective way of serving the people.

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    I, Ritche T. Salgado, make my vow to Prior General Fr. Fernando Millan y Romeral, OCarm, and to those who would succeed him that I would be faithful to the values and principles of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel for a period of one (1) year. I will faithfully live the vows of Chastity, Obedience, and Poverty.

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    So help me God.

    The following is a link to the Order's website, formally registering our names into its records. (Link, here).

Comments (2)

  • Congratulations, Father Ritchie!

    • Thank you, dear friend.... :D its still brother Gary, but honestly, its just Ritche :D

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