On August 15, the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, Br Philip Ross pronounced his first vows as a Trappist monk at Our Lady of New Melleray Abbey.

The ceremony was performed in New Melleray’s beautiful church, rather than in the chapter room as is customary for temporary vows. Sr Kathleen of Mississippi, who has been New Melleray’s novice director, and Br Joseph, sub-master of novices, assisted at the ceremony.

Fr Jerome’s homily follows:
The question was simple: “What do you ask?” The response was equally simple, but extremely profound: “The mercy of God and the Order.” No one enters religious life unless God calls him, and no one remains faithful to his commitment unless the community encircles and supports him in love. Once we realize that we are beloved children of God and brothers and sisters to one another in the Beloved Son, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Saint Paul’s words to the Romans merit repeating. “If God is for us, who can be against us? I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, nor any powers can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:31, 38-39).
We have gathered here today because Brother Philip heard a voice he could not ignore. Try as he may, he knew that God had called him by name, and he could not hide from God’s loving gaze. His experience was not much different from that of Isaiah the prophet. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘I’m willing to go. Send me’” (Is. 6:8). The one who asked for the mercy of God and the Order, is being called to be a conduit of God’s mercy to us and the Church. When an individual professes religious vows, he stretches out his hands to God, who grasps him and holds him firm. Depending on God’s fidelity to his promise never to leave or forsake us, we can confidently make the word recorded in the letter to the Hebrews our own. “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What harm can anyone do to me?” (Heb. 13:6)
The profession of religious vows is an act of faith that directs the individual’s entire life. Faith is required because the future, with its hopes and disappointments, successes and failures, pleasures and pains, its joys and sorrows, is hidden from our eyes. The goal of one making religious profession is not to know every detail of the future. The goal of religious life is to grasp the hand of the One who called him and never let go. Not knowing what tomorrow holds, we bind ourselves to the One who holds tomorrow in his hand. In pronouncing the vows, the individual opens his hands to offer God his nothing. In response to this humble gesture, God opens his hands and becomes his everything. Drawn to the Father’s heart with the cords of Love, the vowed religious becomes a radiant light manifesting God’s mercy and closeness to a world wrapped in darkness.
This is a wonderful day to make your first profession, Brother Philip. You are making your self-gift on the day that the “Mother of God is being led to her divine Son and Lord, clothed in a gold-embroidered gown” (Ps. 45, 13-14). You are presenting yourself to the Church on the day that God took to himself his most precious gem. As the Lord of the universe takes delight in the devotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may he delight in your love and dedication. As God is Mary’s Lord, may he also be yours. When you complete the course of your earthly life, may she, who was assumed into heaven, present you to her Son and Lord.

Please pray for Brother James and all those responding to God’s call.

For those interested in exploring joining our way of life, we invite you to visit our page Becoming a Trappist