First Vows 2005

The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville, IL, was the setting for the August 1, 2005, first profession of religious vows for six new Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  The first profession of the vows of Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Perseverance was the culminating event of the novitiate year that the newly professed Oblates had shared at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate, Godfrey, IL.

Pronouncing their first vows were David Muñoz (USA), Jeorum Namangolwa (Zambia), Emmanuel Mulenga (Zambia), Shane Layden (Natal, South Africa); Sydney Musonda (Zambia), and Ricky Lopez (USA). The provincial of the United States province, Fr. Louie Lougen, OMI, received their vows in the name of the Superior General.

The young Oblates had been guided during their novitiate year by novice director, Fr. James Deegan, OMI, and his two assistants, Oblate Fathers John Collet and Syl Lewans. 

The next step in the Oblate formation process will take place in an Oblate scholasticate where the young men will study philosophy and/or theology in preparation for future ministry.  Brothers Namangolowa, Mulenga, Musonda, and López will study at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio.  Brother Muñoz will enroll at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.  Brother Layden will join scholastics in Cedara, Republic of South Africa, where he was raised. 

A new class of six novices is expected to begin their novitiate on August 17 in Godfrey.  Fr. Syl Lewans will return to Canada for a new assignment.  His replacement in Godfrey will be another Canadian Oblate, Fr. Rocky Grimard, from Assumption Province.

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Photos courtesy of Fr. Terry Donovan, Theodore Hennessey (MAMI), Bros. Ricky Lopez and David Muñoz