Fr. Raphael Hodari professed his simple vows on April 24, Divine Mercy Sunday.

The private ceremony was celebrated in Chapter after Lauds. After a customary six-month postulancy and two-year novitiate, Fr. Raphael professed vows of stability, obedience and fidelity to the monastic way of life for one year. The white scapular and cincture of the novice were removed, and Abbot Elias dressed him in the black scapular and leather belt of the professed.

Through this simple profession, Fr. Raphael concluded his time in the novitiate. As a junior, he will be entrusted with greater responsibilities and be more deeply integrated into the community’s life. He will also begin weekly conferences with the Junior Director Br. Aaron and other members of the community.

During the profession ceremony, Fr. Michael, the community’s prior, read from the Rule of St. Benedict’s chapter on Tools of Good Works. “Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer,“ it begins. Fitting for the Sunday of Divine Mercy, the lesson concluded with “And finally, never lose hope in God’s mercy.”

“Mercy here applies not only to my failings but to my brother’s failings and to the community’s failings,” Fr. Elias said in his exhortation to Fr. Raphael. “It is only if I have radical trust in God’s mercy that I can avoid quarreling, love my enemies, and make peace: these things are possible only if I can leave all judgment to God. So, ‘never lose hope in God’s mercy’ means for myself and for others.”

Juniors at Gethsemani profess vows for one year and then renew them each year. After a minimum of three years, the junior may request to make solemn, perpetual vows.

Please pray for Fr. Raphael and all our brothers in formation.