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Professed Servants Sacred Vow
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At the end of the thirty-six months of Simple Vows, the Novitiate may elect to take a Sacred Vow for sixty months, (5 Years), in accordance with the appropriate ecclesiastical regulations. A promise can also be made in its place. The years of temporary commitment provide for further examination as regards to living according to the vows of this order and the work of our canonries and the persons education. During this time independence and stability, aptitude for the common life and work, deep faith and willingness for the apostolic ministry should continue to increase.
For admission to Sacred Vows the agreement of the Full Chapter is necessary. The Professed Servants Master must give a report to the Provost. To take Sacred Vows, the candidate must be twenty-five, (25th), years of age. The first step into Holy Orders can only be received after taking Sacred Vows. (Ordination to Deacon, Priest)
The professed has the right to continually renew their vows at the conclusion of the vows obligation. Each renewal will be for five years.
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The formula of profession approved by the Archbishop is:
“I, N-N., will live for five years in the community of the Avenue of N. for the service of the People of God. I vow to God, the Almighty, before our Abbot Provost N., (OR before you Fr. N. the authorized representative of our Abbot Provost N.), and before these, my brothers and sisters in Christ, a life of Commitment, in Servanthood and in Obedience according to the Rule and Way Of Life of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to the Canons of The Canonical Order of Chaplains, and thereto I Vow my steady, Holy Resolution, consecrated to God,
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
*Used only at public professions |
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| Sacred vows can be replaced by a promise. This promise embraces the spirit and the support of the vows of this Order and it is binding to our community, its Rule and constitution. The Professed Servant is free to decide in favor of Sacred Vows or one such promise |
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The promise is given in writing. The formula is:
“I, NN., bind myself with this promise for the length of ….. to the community of the Avenue of N I will live according to the spirit and support of the vows of this order. I promise to follow the Rule and the regulations of the constitutions faithfully. |
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| The agreement of the Full Chapter is necessary for admission to promises and for their renewal. |
| The minimum length of the promise is one year; the maximum length of the period for a promise is four years. After that, a Professed Servant in promises can request admission to sacred vows for the remaining year or more to fulfill the full five-year commitment. This period of promises may be lengthened for a legitimate reason with the agreement of the Full Chapter. However, it cannot last longer than four consecutive years. |
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