Eight Pronounce First Oblate Vows

Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Alton, Illinois, again this year hosted the First Profession of Vows from our Inter-regional Novitiate on August 1, 2002.  Seven novices pronounced vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and perseverance, completing their year of intense reflection, study and prayer. 

This year’s novitiate class was truly international in its origins.  One of them was born in Haiti (Quilin Bouzi).  Three were born in Mexico (Efren Castillo, Porfirio Garcia, and Fernando Velazquez).  Juan Ayala, Jr., was born in Chicago.  Lewis Sauti Chilembwe is a native of Zambia and will continue his studies for the Zambian Oblate delegation in South Africa.  Piotr Nowak was born in Poland, but is now a Canadian citizen and a member of Assumption Province.

Also renewing Oblate vows after a time away from the community was Paul Benson of Assumption Province in Canada.  Paul was a member of the 1999 class of novices.

Principal concelebrant at the vow Mass was Fr. David A. Kalert, OMI, Provincial of the United States Province.  Concelebrating at his side were Fr. Chris Pulchny, OMI, Provincial of Assumption Province; Fr. Ron Carignan, OMI, Superior of the Oblate Delegation in Zambia, and Fr. Darrell Rupiper, OMI, Director of Novices for the past four years.  About 40 other Oblate priests and brothers and numerous family members and friends participated in the vow Mass.