The profession of Final Vows is a very special moment in the life of a Jesuit. For Br Jeffrey Pioquinto SJ, making his Final Vows in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ateneo de Zamboanga University on 19 January was an answered prayer.
Several years ago during his Tertianship in Dublin, when he again made the full 30-day Spiritual Exercises, Br Jeff wished, if given the grace, to profess his Final Vows in his hometown of Zamboanga city in southern Philippines.
“At the time I already knew that I would be assigned to my missionary work in East Timor, which is very far from here,” he said. “Six years later I can truly say that all is grace and wishes do come true.”
Zamboanga is a source of consolation for Br Jeff not only because he has his family close by but also because it was at the Ateneo de Zamboanga where he fell in love with God, found his vocation to the Jesuits, and honed his talents and skills, which came in handy when he finally joined the Society.
“When I applied to the Jesuits I applied as a Brother,” said Br Jeff who learned about the vocation to the Brothers through Br Griffin, an American Jesuit who was missioned in the Ateneo de Zamboanga.
“Even then I did not have an attraction to celebrating the Sacraments, although they are very important to me as a Jesuit,” he said. “But I desired to be a religious, I desired to be with Jesus, I desired to be a Jesuit.”
In the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, there are more than 1,500 priests and scholastics (in formation to become priests), and only 76 Brothers. Br Jeff is one of five Brothers in the Philippine Jesuit Province.
To be a Brother is a distinct vocation. As Br Jeff puts it: It is not only I desiring to be a Brother, but God calls me to this vocation. It’s a calling, a calling born out of love, freedom, and generosity.”
His prayer is to be more faithful to his vocation as a Brother, to bring the gospel to the people by witnessing to the love of Christ.
At his Final Vows Mass, where he gave the homily, Br Jeff centred his reflection on God’s love and the Suscipe prayer of St Ignatius Loyola.
“When I was a young Jesuit, it was very difficult for me to comprehend this prayer, but now after wrestling with my God, and all the graces and the love I have received from Him, there is nothing more I can ask for, but His love and His grace are enough for me,” he said.
Fr Louie Catalan SJ, who received Br Jeff’s Final Vows on behalf of Philippine Provincial Fr Primitivo Viray Jr SJ, affirmed the grace and the love of God that have accompanied Br Jeff throughout his formation.
“When a Jesuit professes finally his vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, what he is proclaiming to the entire world is ‘Yes, God’s love and God’s grace are indeed enough for me. For this reason, I am willing to commit my entire life to the Father for His kingdom,’” said Fr Catalan. “As he professed his Final Vows, I am sure Br Jeff also heard our Lord telling him: ‘Jeff I reaffirm today my covenant to be with you. I will always be with you no matter what happens through the Society of Jesus who will always be your Mother.”