The day I consecrated myself publicly to God will always be a blessed and special moment for me – a very personal, intimate, and unique experience. Admittedly there have been moments when I have not felt worthy enough to make this commitment. Moreover, the profession liturgy seemed to be so short but simultaneously so valuable for my future life. For sure it will be a lifetime remembrance. Reflecting deeply on my profession of simple vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, I would have to say that it would not have been so blessed and would not have marked my life so profoundly, if it wasn’t for the spiritual preparation I received during my year of novitiate.

Through my communal and personal prayers, daily meditations, and the spiritual enrichments of the novitiate, I was able to build what I pray will be an unconditional relationship with Christ. Through my growing knowledge of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, our Constitutions, and my ongoing reflection on the Rule of our Father St. Augustine, as well as some of his most important writings, such as Confessions, I was also able to solidify my love for the Order. Through solid, systematic and structured formation, spending time together with my co-novice brothers from different provinces around the world, and learning what it is to be an Augustinian Recollect religious friar, I was also able to learn more about myself. By truly living the daily life of an Augustinian Recollect religious, more than studying it theoretically, my novitiate experience became a spiritual and personal success. In addition, the full support of my religious family members of St. Augustine Province, the A R Sisters, Servants of Mary, our Guild members, my personal and family friends, catechists, and finally all of my blood family members and many of my close relatives all contributed to my positive growth; all were very supportive either by their physical or spiritual presence, fully participating in communion through their prayers.

Now, what is so special about the day of my religious consecration to God? On Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 12 p.m., at St. Augustine Priory in Oxnard, a solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr. Domingos Machado, and concelebrated by eight priests assisted by three deacons.. The music for the Liturgy was played and directed by Fr. Michael Kenny, my first Augustinian Recollect spiritual director. The postulants living at St. Augustine Priory served as the altar servers guided by Fr. Eliseo Gonzalez, Master of Ceremony. There were also three Augustinian Recollect religious brothers present: Michael Stechmann, Raymond Fabbrin, and Jorge Valdivia. Some of my family members were also active participants during the Mass, either directly or indirectly. I am also grateful to the dedicated and faithful Guild members who decorated the chapel and the refectory table; brother Ulises (Lico), “Mama” Dee, Doña Eva, and others who prepared the food for the reception; and Dn. Ascencion Esqueda who worked tirelessly mowing the grass and making sure the gardens looked beautifully trimmed for my special day. Without all of these people’s committed cooperation, my profession would not have been what it turned out to be: a lifetime remembrance in my heart. In case I may have missed mentioning other people who made a difference on my consecration day, I want to assure you, God will not forget you, bestowing the graces needed for our glorification in this life and the next. Once more, all I can humbly say is THANKS VERY MUCH TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU for making this an unforgettable day and meaningful to everyone, especially to me.

To resume, all I can add is what went on in my mind and heart during the Liturgy of Profession, the reception, and the rest of the day: my constant thanks to God for all the graces, blessings, special moments, and personal encounters with Jesus Christ, that I received from the day I entered the Order on August 15, 2004 (my 31st birthday!) to the day of my public consecration to God on August 25, 2007. I would not forgive myself if I failed to mention how much closer I became to our Lady, the Virgin Mary, by praying the rosary all the time, asking for her intercession and thanking her always for answering my prayers. Last but not least, I should mention that during my novitiate year I prayed many times to the saints and my Guardian Angel to intercede for me.

I strongly believe that all I have achieved so far in my personal, professional, social, religious, and spiritual life was definitely thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit in me. Therefore, I ought to say thanks as well to the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, for permitting me to be who I am at the present time. Trying to fulfill God’s Will, to know, to serve, and to love Him more and better each single day is my priority, and to live my life to glorify Him even though there have been and will continue to be times when I feel discouraged or am tempted to give up. Nonetheless, because I know God loves me and trusts in me, I will be able to fulfill my Christian mission through His graces bestowed since Baptism. Thank you God, for being my Heavenly Father, for always loving me as your true son, and for being my best friend!

Fra. Eduardo Rodriguez Lopez, OAR