PROFESSION IN LIFE VOWS IN THE
SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST
LUCAS STEPHAN HALL, SSJE
Opening Hymn
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Hymnal 702
THE PROFESSION IN LIFE VOWS LUCAS STEPHAN HALL, SSJE SATURDAY, 18 OF JUNE AT ELEVEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING THE FEAST OF BERNARD MIZEKI, CATECHIST AND MARTYR, 1896
Prelude
Komm heiliger Geist, Herre Gott
Entrance Hymn
Lord, thou hast searched me
Dietrich Buxtehude Previous Page (2)
Opening Acclamation Superior All
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn of Praise
Glory to God in the highest
Next Page (4)
Collect Superior All
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Superior
Let us pray. Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
All
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Hymn of Praise
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Cowley Mass – James Woodman
The Word of God First Reading
Proverbs 9:1–6
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her female servants; she calls from the highest places in the town, “You who are simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Gradual
Second Reading
Psalm 116
Hebrews 13:10–16
We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
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The Gospel
John 1:1–18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
The Sermon
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The Litany
God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, One God, Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and the Son, Promise of the Father, Gift of the Most High God, Author of all good, Source of living water, Spirit of holy fear, Spirit of truth and power, Spirit of wisdom and understanding, Spirit of counsel and fortitude, Spirit of knowledge and true godliness, Spirit of compunction and repentance, Spirit of grace and supplication, Spirit of love, peace and joy, Spirit of patience, long-suffering and goodness, Spirit of mildness, gentleness and faith, Spirit of adoption as God’s children, Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier,
Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. 7
Spirit, who at Creation, brooded on the face of the waters, Spirit, who inspired holy men and women of old, Spirit, who overshadowed the Virgin Mary, Spirit, by whose power the Son of God was conceived, Spirit, who descended on Jesus at his baptism, Spirit, by whom we are born again, Spirit, by whom we are anointed and sealed as Christ’s for ever, Spirit, dwelling in us, Spirit, governing the church, Spirit, filling the whole world,
Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us. Have mercy on us.
For the church throughout the world; and for Alan and Gayle, our Bishops:
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For James our Superior, for Frank our Bishop Visitor, and for this community, that we may be faithful to our mission and ministry: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For vocations to the religious life, that all who are called may be given the grace to respond: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our brother Lucas, that he may be filled with the gifts of the Spirit: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who witness these vows, that we may be strengthened by the love of God: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Lucas’s family and friends, that they may share his joy in the Lord: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whom Lucas serves in our ministries of preaching, teaching, formation, and spiritual direction, by the power of the grace given to him: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the departed and especially our brothers, that we may share with them the promises of the resurrection: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
For ourselves, that we may be aided by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, John the Beloved Disciple, Luke the Evangelist, Blessed Bernard Mizeki, Richard our Founder, and all the saints: we pray to you, O Lord,
Lord, hear our prayer.
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Holy Spirit, we entreat you to hear us; That you would inflame us with the
That you would help us to love and bear with one another, That you would lead us in the way of your commandments, That you would teach us to pray, and would pray within us, Superior
All
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We entreat you, O Lord. We entreat you, O Lord. We entreat you, O Lord.
Grant, O merciful God, that through the intercession of Blessed Bernard Mizeki, whom we remember today, your divine Spirit may cleanse, enlighten and inflame our hearts, renew us with your blessing, and make us fruitful in all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Examination and Vows Superior
Friends and brothers, Lucas Stephan Hall has lived under the vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience for three years. Now he desires to profess these vows for life. Let us open our hearts to Lucas as he brings to fulfillment his response to God’s call.
Lucas
My brothers, I believe that Christ Jesus has given me the freedom and courage to choose life-long commitment as a brother in the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. My desire flows out of deep gratitude for salvation. These words have become my own: “How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Superior
Lucas, the whole brotherhood is filled with joy and awe at the gift of freedom which enables you to make a lifelong commitment. Let us hear your response to what our Rule teaches us about this decisive step.
First Brother
Lucas, Jesus’ offering of his life on the cross was the supreme expression of his love for the Father, made in perfect freedom through the Spirit. No one took his life from him; he laid it down of his own accord. Are you offering your life through the same Spirit?
Lucas
Yes, I believe that Christ’s free self-offering is being expressed anew in my life.
Second Brother
Lucas, our founder, Father Benson, taught us that the call of God in the religious life is continuous, abiding, and progressive. Continuous, because in the communion we enjoy with God in prayer and worship, the Spirit never ceases to call us into deeper union. Abiding, because the wisdom of God, communicated to us in our prayer and life, is absorbed into our hearts never to perish. Progressive, because God’s voice will come to us in the future ever new, calling us to fresh opportunities, and bringing gifts beyond what we know now. Have you taken this teaching to heart?
Lucas
Yes, I know that life profession inaugurates a lifetime of developing response. 11
Third Brother
Lucas, the grace to surrender our lives to God through our vows has been given to us in Baptism, whereby we die with Christ and are raised with him. It is the same grace that gives the martyrs strength to submit gladly to death as witnesses of the resurrection. Do you understand your own commitment in the light of the same freedom and trust which enables martyrs to give up their lives for the greater glory of God?
Lucas
Yes, as I go forward in this life, I pray that the witness of the martyrs will never be far from my mind.
Superior
Lucas, what do you seek from us, your brothers?
Lucas
Brothers, as I pledge to live my whole life with you, will you be steadfast in your love and support, standing by me in weakness and suffering as well as in times of health and strength, and at the end, upholding me when I give myself up to God in death?
Brothers
We will.
Lucas
As I offer myself to the Lord Jesus and the people of God in his service, will you receive all that I am, my gifts and talents as well as my brokenness and incompleteness?
Brothers
We will.
Lucas
As I profess the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience for life, will each one of you renew his commitment from the heart?
Brothers
We will.
Superior
Lucas, it is our joy to share the same calling from Christ and to be bound together in an enduring fellowship as a sign of God’s faithfulness. As you prepare to commit yourself to the life of poverty, celibacy and obedience, let us kneel in prayer and call upon the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to be faithful to our promises.
All kneel for silent prayer.
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Hymn
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
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All stand. Lucas
Before the whole company of heaven and in the presence of this congregation, I, Lucas Stephan Hall, reaffirm the commitment I have made, and now make my profession and promise to Almighty God, and to you, my brother, the Superior of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, and to your successors in this office, that I will live in the life-long observance of poverty, celibacy, and obedience, according to the Rule of this Society.
Brother
Lucas, we give you this ring as a sign of your dedication to Christ and your espousal to God as lover. For the rest of your life wear this sign of steadfast commitment and undying love.
Lucas
Christ is my life and my joy.
Superior
May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit bless you,
Brothers
May God confirm your heart’s desire to abide in Christ always; may he fill you with gifts for worship and service, bind you to our brotherhood, and make you a blessing to those around you, to the glory of God’s name. Amen.
The Peace
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Offertory Hymn
Hymnal 382
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The Holy Communion The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus
The Lord’s Prayer
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Cowley Mass – James Woodman
Hymnal 148, alt.
Fraction Anthem
Cowley Mass – James Woodman
Invitation Presider People
Behold what you are. May we become what we receive.
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Closing Hymn
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Hymnal 606
Post-Communion Prayer Superior All
Almighty Father, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for calling Lucas to devote himself to your glory in this community, and for giving him the grace to make the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience for life. May the holy gifts we receive in this Eucharist nourish us with the grace to persevere together in your service, so that we may remain steadfast until the coming of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Dismissal Postlude
Komm heiliger Geist, Herre Gott
Matthias Weckmann
All are warmly invited to greet Lucas and meet his family at the reception in the Guesthouse Garden immediately following this service.
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❖ Br. James Koester, Presider & Preacher Mr. James Woodman, Monastery Organist ❖
Cover: Icon of Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr