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Brother Ryan Anderson, FSC, Brother Johnathon Emmanuelson, FSC, and Brother Javier Hansen, FSC, from left, middle three, conclude their novitiate year with Regional Novitiate Director Brother Tom Johnson, FSC, left, and Regional Novitiate Sub-director Brother Tom Westberg, FSC, right. They are pictured in the chapel at Mont La Salle in Napa, California, where Brother Javier professed first vows. Courtesy Brother James Joost, FSC
Five Brothers took significant steps on their vocational journeys this summer by professing vows. Three Brothers professed temporary vows (first vows) at the conclusion of their novitiate year. Brother Javier Hansen, FSC, from the District of San Francisco New Orleans, Brother Ryan Anderson, FSC, and Brother Johnathon Emmanuelson, FSC, both from the Midwest District, professed vows at their respective District summer gatherings.
“I am thrilled to deepen my commitment to the Brothers as a vowed religious,” said Brother Johnathon. “I am profoundly grateful to my family and all the Brothers and Partners who have supported me.”
“After vows I have felt more a sense of being a Brother than ever before,” said Brother Javier. “My time as a Brother has been great, and the vows have brought calm to my lived experience of the life I imagined as a Brother.”
In the Brothers’ formation, after professing temporary vows for a period of approximately five years, Brothers in initial formation prepare for and request to make perpetual profession (final vows). Brother Kenneth Kalinowski, FSC, and Brother Anwar Martinez, FSC, from the District of Eastern North America (DENA), professed final vows at the DENA Brothers retreat at La Salle University in Philadelphia in July.
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Brother Anwar Martinez, FSC, center left, and Brother Kenneth Kalinowski, FSC, center right, read the Brothers of the Christian Schools vow formula while professing final vows with the support of their sponsors Brother Timothy Froehlich, FSC, left, and Brother Richard Galvin, FSC, right, in the chapel at La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Courtesy District of Eastern North America Archives
“The vows help me to be in the right frame of mind and heart,” said Brother Anwar. “And to know in the most profound way and in the deepest fiber of my entire being that I have been utterly blessed by having the opportunity to participate in this important mission in a very unique way.”
Read a reflection from Brother Anwar >
Through the end of the academic year and through summer, other Brothers in initial formation renewed vows, some at their ministries, others at District gatherings. Young men actively discerning the Brothers vocation also made promises as Postulants to live in community and minister with the Brothers in the year ahead.
“All too often we hear to touch hearts, but perhaps don’t really reflect on those words. Each day we can make an impact on the people [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][to whom] we minister,” said Brother Ken, who shortly after the vow ceremony returned to his current ministry in Papua New Guinea. “I am grateful to my fellow Brothers in the Institute, being Brothers without borders – we are truly part of the Catholic Church!”[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]