On Saturday, August 19, three of our friars made their "perpetual vows" of povery, chastity and obedience in a Mass celebrated at St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Friends and family of the brothers along with many friars from our Capuchin Province and beyond gathered to witness our brothers placing their hands into the hands of our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., to declare their resolve to live "all the days of my life . . . in obedience, without anything of my own and in chastity." With their profession, the brothers have acknowledged the Lord's faithfulness and love and the call they have heard to follow the Lord where he leads them through the grace of our brotherhoord.
The three brothers who professed vows were Diogo Escudero, OFM Cap., Saúl Soriano, OFM Cap., and Keon Tu, OFM Cap. (all pictured above to the right), each of whom have spent three years in temporary profession at our house of formation, Capuchin College, in Washington, DC.
The Mass featured music from our own friars along with cantors, choirs and musicans from various friends and supporters of the men themselves. The assembly heard words addressed to them in Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish, the native languages of the three brothers and their families, as well as a song written by Br. Diogo, an avid lover of music for worship.
The brothers will be returning wit Washington, DC, for ongoing studies and preparations for ministry.
More photos of the event are found in our gallery.