The memorial of St Stanislaus Kostka on 13 November was a usual day in Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan and in the whole city of Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines, but the same could not be said of the atmosphere in the Loyola House Jesuit Community. Fr Ismael Jose III Chan-Gonzaga SJ, our Rector, had professed his final vows in the Society of Jesus.
Surrounded by his brothers from the Cagayan de Oro Jesuit Community, Fr Bros Flores SJ, the superior of the nearby Bukidnon Mission District, and two guests from Ateneo de Davao University Jesuit Community, Fr IJ, as he is called by everyone, professed his vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Society of Jesus, promising, too, a fourth vow of obedience to the Pontiff with regard to the missions, and with a special concern for the education of children. With his Final Vows, it may seem that Fr IJ has bound himself to the mission and life of a Jesuit. Actually, Fr IJ has bound his life closely to Jesus Christ as a Jesuit forever.
In a world where everything seems temporary and fleeting, it is consoling and inspiring to see a grown man, a lawyer, a professor, a former college volleyball varsity player, make a humble promise to God to remain faithful. Yet, this profession of Final Vows is also a reminder of the transformative power these promises contain. It was a subtle reminder that beneath Fr IJ’s promise was God’s own promise to remain faithful to him and to all of us. It was indeed a reminder that it was God who loved us first.
As Fr Ulysses Cabayao SJ, beautifully said in his homily:
“May this promise remind you [Fr IJ] of how our lives as Jesuits are never defined by what roles we play and positions we hold [but] of how your greater availability will allow God to define the life that you have promised to live out.
May this promise remind you that what we have received only passes through us. We are not only vessels, but channels. May the life we live connect others’ lives to the real, inexhaustible source of life.
May this promise remind you that you are now in God’s hands, through this least Society of Jesus. May this give you the confidence and the humility to carry out your duties in the service of the Church and the people of God.
May this promise allow you to further share the gift of your presence and brotherhood to those who are excluded and have felt misunderstood. May people find in you God’s presence in this wounded world.”
In his thanksgiving speech, Fr IJ recognised the many people he worked and served with in various stages of his life as a Jesuit. He also asked for prayers as he continues his life and ministry as a Jesuit.
The most touching moment of his speech came when he remembered his late mother, Mrs Crescencia Gonzaga. Fr IJ read an excerpt from her letter to him as he was preparing to begin his theology formation in 2008. Despite being written many years ago, the words of exhortation, support, and love of a mother to his son still ring true and relevant to the task, responsibility, and mission Fr IJ is now given.
Here is an excerpt from that letter:
“I expect a priest to give a human face to every suffering. The first one to realise that what ultimately joins all of humanity together is not the privileged comfort of wealth and abundance, but the humbling suffering shared in common by all. In the maze of materialistic and worldly pursuits, I expect him to stand tall and unshaken, even when he is sadly besieged on all sides by lawlessness and opportunism. I expect him not to curse the darkness but to be the first to light his candle to blaze in the brightness of a thousand suns. Will this be too much to ask?
“And above all, I expect a priest to be the one who can readily tell the difference between his needs and his greed; one who will never become too rich that he would have nothing more to receive, or too poor that he would have nothing more to give. I expect him to be there; someone who will be able to walk with kings yet not lose the common touch. Will this be too much to expect?
“I do not expect you to be so inspired with what I have just said and described as the image of what I envision a priest to be. But that is the image, the true image, of love that gives meaning to the word ‘sacrifice’ in the Christian tradition. That would be the image in my mind and heart, the image I would nurture of you, an image on which I would build my hopes and prayers. A priest who is just a man – but never to be just an ordinary man. This is the meaning of your vocation; this will be the meaning of your life! Go forth, and set your eyes and energies on this gigantic task of becoming what you should be.”
I believe these words written by Fr IJ’s mother many years ago to remind her son of the life and tasks of a priest are true for us all. Fr IJ’s profession of Final Vows reminds each of us of our own calling, and exhorts us to be courageous in our commitments. Despite the daunting and huge task ahead of us, we are assured of the constant faithfulness of a God who called and loved us first.
Bien Emmanuel C Cruz SJ is a Filipino Jesuit assigned to Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Junior High School in southern Philippines for his Regency. He is currently teaching Grade 10 Students the basics of Christian Morality. He is also involved in a local feeding programme that provides precooked and packed meals to the city’s homeless.