At 8:00 am on the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, July 16th, we gathered for the profession of our novice, Brother Daniel. From left to right, Brother’s grandparents John & Dot Lacourrege, his two brothers Nathan & Kurt, his sister Kelsey, Dad Ken & Ma Peggy, Pat Taylor in the back, Brs. Daniel & our newly clothed Alberto. Joseph Le, superior of our house in San Antonio was also there with his high powered camera behind Alberto but got cut off the frame of this photograph.

Our Fr. Provincial, Gregory Ross, was principal celebrant for the profession Mass. Our newly clothed, Br. Jorge read the story of the prophet Elijah praying on Mt Carmel from the first book of Kings. “Go up and look out to the sea,” the prophet instructed his servant. But there was nothing out there until the seventh time when a small cloud rose from the sea. “And with that the sky grew dark with cloud and storm, and rain fell in torrents.” [I Kng 18, 42-45]

Br. Alberto read the second reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the law, to redeem the subjects of the law and to enable us to be adopted as sons.” [Gal 4, 4-7]

After the gospel and homily delivered by Our Fr. Provincial, Brother Daniel left his family and approached the celebrant to kneel and take his vows. “I, brother Daniel Marie of the Cross, desiring to live faithfully... a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ, with my brothers as witnesses into your hands, Brother Gregory of the Trinity, vow to almighty God … Chastity, poverty and obedience, according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of the Discalced Friars of … Mount Carmel. With my whole heart I give myself to this religious institute restored by Saint Teresa, to seek perfect charity in the service of our Mother the Church …through constant prayer and apostolic ministry, and to give eternal glory to the most holy Trinity.”

Daniel’s mother Peggy then came up to read the petitions for the Prayer of the Faithful. His grandparents had visited Marylake last summer when Daniel was clothed, but this was our first chance to meet Brother Daniel’s parents and siblings. They made a shrimp creole for us while they were here.

Our group picture includes from left to right: Our Father Provincial Fr. Gregory, Br. Jorge, Daniel, Alberto, Raphael, John Michael & Juan Guillermo. Daniel, after his vacation at home in Louisiana, will join Br. Juan Guillermo in our house of studies in New Orleans.