EVANGELICAL VOWS


OBEDIENCE: LISTENING DEEPLY

“Remain generous, above all, toward our Lord.  Have complete confidence in God and put yourself entirely in his hands.” (Frances Schervier)

The vow of obedience helps us to listen continuously to the Word, the Spirit, events, and our sisters. It trains us to become participants in a journey of responsibility toward God, ourselves, other people, and all creation. In the challenges of daily life, through obedience, we expand our capacity to welcome the other person and to offer ourselves with awareness, generosity, and freedom.

POVERTY: SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH LIFE

“Let us not forestall the Lord and his grace, neither with regard to ourselves, nor to others. Let God lead and direct us, and let us comply with his arrangements simply and calmly.” (Frances Schervier)

The vow of poverty helps us not to take possession of anything, but to “give back” in a Franciscan way, so that life is circular. We share joyfully. We have a simple lifestyle. We give up the independent and indiscriminate disposal of goods. We are grateful for the gift of God’s Providence. We work, serve, and ask ourselves how to best utilize our resources for the good of many people and with respect for everything created. This vow also trains us in spiritual poverty to be humble, trusting, and docile before God, God’s will, and change.

 

CHASTITY: LOVING WITH SENSITIVITY

“Let us make sure the lamp of our soul is filled with good burning oil and that the talents given us are used.” (Frances Schervier)

The vow of chastity helps us to grow in a style of relationship with transparent bonds, not founded on possession and claiming rights over others but on that which is given freely, just as God loves. It is a journey of maturity made of tensions and joys, of free and conscious choices, in which the depth of the relationship with the Lord is accompanied by the unifying of the different parts of one’s personality, maintaining the integrity of the forces of life and love present within us. Chastity accustoms us to an unselfish and “sensitive” love made of patience, tenderness, and generosity, recognizing each person as a gift from God and bearer of uniqueness, dignity, and talents.