Seven SAR novices profess
vows at Tagaste Monastery

 

 

New SAR professed and novices gather with clergy after Mass in Tagaste Monastery Chapel.
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Moved by the grace of God and having lived the Trial Period in which we have come to know your Rule, we humbly ask that we be permitted to make our Promises to God and to become part of the Augustinian Recollect family.

This was the petition of seven Secular Augustinian Recollect novices who professed their vows during a special Mass at Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, New York, on the evening of November 6. Along with the newly professed, there were thirteen candidates for the SAR novitiate class of 2006-07. Fr. Ramon Gaitán, prior, received the professions in the name of Fr. General, each professed-candidate reading and signing the profession formula and receiving a certificate verifying his/her profession, together with an SAR pin. Mr. Charles Squires, current SAR president, then welcomed the novice-candidates and gave each one a copy of the Rule of Life and Statutes of the Fraternity to be studied during the novitiate year.

The ceremony took place within the Mass, at which Fr. Gaitán presided and preached the homily. He was joined by Recollect priests from Tagaste, St. John Parish in the Bronx, and from the St. Nicholas delegation, as well as by Msgr. Joseph Giandurco, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Suffern, and Fr. Rudi González, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Spring Valley. Fr. Ángel San Eufrasio played the organ and Fr. John Gruben acted as master of ceremonies and led the music for the occasion. The Mass began with an impressive procession in which the altar servers were followed by the novice-candidates, the professed-candidates, and the concelebrating priests while all sang the Augustinian hymn “Restless Heart.” Some 200 people attended the Mass, including family members of the new professed and novices, and SARs from Suffern, West Orange, the Bronx, and Union City, making the event a truly regional gathering for the SARs and an interparochial experience for all those who attended.

In addition to the professions and investiture of new novices, Fr. Francis Moriones, spiritual director of the Tagaste fraternity, publically renewed his own vows as he celebrated an extraordinary anniversary—80 years as a professed Augustinian Recollect religious. A round of applause followed Fr. Moriones, renewal of vows, as it had for the new SAR professed and novices.

Following the Mass a reception was held in the hall, sponsored by the Guild, consisting of sandwiches, veggies, and Filipino food in addition to cake and coffee. Mr. Squires, acting as MC for the occasion, introduced Frs. Gaitan, Frank Wilder, John Oldfield, and Francisco Legarra, who offered words of thanks and appreciation to Fr. Moriones. The Tagaste choir, led by Fr. Gruben, then sang a number of songs in English and Spanish, ending in the traditional “Happy Birthday” as Fr. Moriones, celebrating his 96 birthday as well as his 80 th anniversary of profession, was escorted to the front of the hall to cut the cake. In all, the occasion was an impressive manifestation of the Augustinian spirit and a most enjoyable get together for prayer, fraternity, and celebration.

Fr. John Gruben, OAR