Today, 6th of September 2024, Valentine Nwafor Orizu CSSp, joins his classmates to renew his vows before Rev. Fr. Ricklan Mallya CSSp at the Spiritans Community in Carfin, Scotland. Fr. Ricklan received the vows on behalf of the British Provincial Superior, Fr. Ugo Ikwuka CSSp, who stood in for Valentine’s own Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Austin Nwosu CSSp, of the Nigeria Southwest Province.
Valentine’s journey in the Spiritan congregation has been marked by deep commitment and spiritual growth, having completed his pre-postulancy, postulancy, and philosophy studies in Nigeria. Currently, he is stationed in the British Province for his prefecting, a period of practical learning in the ministry. After this stage, Valentine will move forward to begin his theology studies, the final academic preparation before ordination.
In renewing his vows, Valentine recommitted himself to the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity, and obedience, which form the cornerstone of religious life. These counsels guide every Spiritan, as they did Valentine, toward a deeper relationship with God and a life fully devoted to the service of the Church.
Poverty calls for a life detached from material wealth and possessions, fostering reliance on God’s providence and solidarity with the poor. By embracing poverty, Valentine affirms his choice to live simply, focusing not on worldly comforts but on spiritual riches.
Chastity is the vow of celibacy, dedicating oneself fully to God with an undivided heart. Through chastity, Valentine commits to loving God and serving others in a way that is not bound by exclusive relationships, mirroring Christ’s own self-giving love.
Obedience involves surrendering one’s will to God, often through submission to the authority of the Church and the Spiritan superiors. Valentine’s vow of obedience reflects his willingness to follow the guidance of the Spiritan leadership and the Church, trusting that God’s will is revealed through them.
Valentine’s vow renewal symbolizes his continued dedication to the Spiritan mission and his readiness to continue his path toward the priesthood. As he prepares for his next stage in theology studies, he remains deeply rooted in the Spiritan charism, committed to living out the evangelical counsels in his journey of faith and service.
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