Living the Vows
As professed Oblates, few would question that the vows that we live are an integral part of our religious commitment. As a priest and a psychologist, I have wondered about the purpose and experience of the Vows in my religious commitment. I would like to share some of my reflections with you and invite you to offer your comments and insights.
Our vows are a guide for living a religious life, but they speak about our behaviours not necessarily about our conversion or change of heart. Hopefully, the observance of the vows can bring about conversion, but we can be living our vows and still be resentful, stingy and detached from the cries of the poor.
No matter how long ago we professed our vows, it is always good to re-examine them and ask ourselves if they are accomplishing what they were designed to do. Is there a way that we can embrace the vows to lead us to a deeper spiritual commitment and greater personal growth?
Perhaps the vows could be renamed. When I think of “obedience”, I think of children or military recruits doing what they are told to do, whether they like it or not, or even understand why they are being obedient. And, what about poverty? Does that make one more spiritual? Celibacy and chastity are not interchangeable nor do either of them automatically bring us closer to God. Sometimes individuals shut down their emotions and dreams to help them “keep their vows” and be seen as good members of their religious congregation. I wonder if younger people see the formal vows as irrelevant and unnecessary to follow Christ.
In my younger years, I saw the vows as a radical sign of following Jesus Christ. Today I am not so sure. All adults have to deal with the limits of their financial resources, acquiesce to their partner’s wishes, and be faithful to their chosen partner. Indeed, we call these commitments vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, but all of humanity lives them out in various ways.
The inclusion of vows in religious life began in the 6th century The public profession of these Evangelical counsels (or counsels of perfection), confirmed by vow or other sacred bond, are now a requirement according to modern Church Law. While I do not see change anytime soon as vowed religious, we need to reflect on our commitment to keep it fresh and responsive to today’s reality.
In this article I would like to focus on the Vow of Poverty. I will write about in more detail the Vows of Obedience and Celibacy in my next two articles. The Vow of Poverty means that we are not to have property and that we share in common the goods of the community. When asked what the purpose of this vow, I hear the Vow of Poverty allows us to be free from the lure of riches. We are told we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) so we are to renounce money. The Vow of Poverty allows us to be in solidarity with the poor. We are making a fundamental option for the poor. The option for the poor, or the preferential option for the poor, is one of the basic principles of Catholic social teaching. The expression has its roots in Liberation Theology, the World Synod of Catholic Bishops, and several popes. I’ve heard the vow being a vehicle to be in solidarity with the poor. I am not sure what it means or whether the poor have asked this of us.
At the Convocation last April in Cornwall, Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS Canada, shared a fascinating biblical story of solidarity with the oppressed. The story from Exodus 2:1-10 is based on Pharaoh’s daughter and the Hebrew midwives resisting the oppression of Pharaoh’s abusive laws against the Israelites. Pharaoh’s daughter used her privilege to save Moses. This provocative story calls us to use our privileges to bring about equality in our society. The vow of poverty is not about buying the cheapest car, going without one, or buying a “gently” used car. The Vow of Poverty is an invitation an opportunity to participate in the evolving Creation around us as described by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in his well known book, The Divine Milieu.
A quotation from St. Elizabeth Seton (sometimes attributed to Ghandi) “live simply so others can simply live” sheds light on a better understanding of the vow. The Vow is not something static that we do, and consequently has little impact on the world. The vow helps us to move forward to bring about change. This change happens within us as we let go of attachments and realize how we were bound economically, politically and culturally. The vow also sensitizes us to the needs of others and the social structures that divide people rather than building them up. Understanding the Vow this way makes our responsibility to others in a much broader perspective. As we grow in our sensitivity to discrimination and social injustice, we have an opportunity to move deeper into conversion and finally give life to the vow of poverty.
By Peter Doherty, OMI
