SAR Profession at Tagaste  

It has become traditional at Tagaste Monastery for the local SAR fraternity to celebrate the profession of novices and entrance into the novitiate on the first Wednesday of December each year. This year’s profession happened to coincide with the Day of the Recollection—“Foundation Day”—in the Order, making it a doubly joyful occasion. Bishop David Arias, OAR, presided at the liturgy and received the profession of promises from the SAR candidates. He was joined in the concelebrated Mass by Fr. Provincial and Recollect friars from the Eastern Region. The Mass was offered for Catherine Walber, deceased wife of John Walber, a past president of the Tagaste SARs who was present along with his family.

 In spite of wintry weather, some 150 people were in attendance at the 7:00 PM liturgy, including SAR members from Tagaste and St. John and their families. There were 12 candidates who professed promises as SARs and 10 new admissions to the novitiate. Bishop Arias spoke about God’s call to faith. and how that call was mediated throughout history by the people of Israel, by the Church, and—for Augustinian Recollects—by St. Augustine. After the homily each candidate for profession was called by Fr. Francis Moriones, spiritual director, and then came forward to read the profession formula and receive a certificate and SAR pin as symbols of their new status as professed members of the fraternity. Mr. Charles Squires, current president of the fraternity, then officially welcomed the new novices to the year of novitiate and gave each a copy of the Rule of Life. 

Following the Mass, a reception was held in the Guild Hall. There were a variety of sandwiches, cheeses, and vegetable platters to tempt those who were hungry as well as coffee and tea; everyone helped themselves. The reception included a program with a number of speakers: several SAR members reflected on their experiences as members of the fraternity; Fr. Marlon Beof introduced the topic of special Vocation Year to be celebrated throughout the Order in 2008, and the Tagaste choir sang a number of songs to celebrate Foundation Day and the Advent Season. The program concluded with a reflection by Fr. Moriones and congratulations to the newly professed SARs and novices. The evening ended with belated birthday greetings and a special cake for Fr. Moriones who celebrated his 97th birthday on December 3. Best wishes and prayers for our new SAR members!

Fr. John Gruben, OAR