Scritto da Bro Rodelio Ijan Mapula | Categoria: A proposito di noi |  Pubblicato il 04/01/2026

The Religious Institute of the Apostles of Jesus Crucified Fathers and Brothers (AJC) celebrated a solemn Eucharistic Celebration on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at St. John Paul II Parish, Los Amigos, Davao City, marking the profession of religious vows by several of its members. The celebration coincided with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
During the Mass, Bro. Anthony Arul Marvin Maria Coonghe, AJC, Bro. Francisco Maria Jose Ximenes Correia, AJC, and Bro. Ranjith Valentine Maria Nicholas, AJC made their Temporary Profession of Religious Vows, while Br. Rodelio I. Mapula, AJC pronounced his Solemn (Perpetual) Profession, committing himself permanently to religious life.

Temporary profession is a public commitment in which a religious vows chastity, poverty, and obedience for a limited period, allowing continued formation and discernment before lifelong commitment. It allows the brothers to continue their spiritual formation, deepen their understanding of the institute’s mission, and discern God’s call to a lifelong vocation before making a permanent, or solemn, profession. According to Church law (Code of Canon Law, Canon 655), temporary vows are canonical and binding for the agreed period, and may be renewed as the brothers grow in their commitment to religious life.
Solemn or perpetual profession is the definitive, lifelong consecration to God, through which a religious is permanently incorporated into the institute and its mission. By professing the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience permanently, one publicly dedicates his life to serving God, the Church, and the community. This definitive vow signifies the completion of formation and marks a full and enduring commitment to the charism and apostolate of the Apostles of Jesus Crucified. According to Church law (Code of Canon Law, Canon 662), perpetual vows are binding for life and represent the highest form of consecration within a religious institute.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Jean-Claude M. Nzembele, AJC, General Superior of the Institute. At the beginning of the liturgy, Fr. Jean-Claude expressed his gratitude to Rev. Fr. Lief Simbajon, parish priest of St. John Paul II Parish, for welcoming the community, as well as to Rev. Fr. Lope Maria Polinar, AJC, Local Superior, Fr. Eddie Boy Maria Fuentes, AJC, formator, and the priests, consecrated men and women, and religious sisters present, especially the Apostles of Jesus Crucified Sisters.

In his homily, Fr. Jean-Claude reflected on the deep connection between the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the brothers’ profession of vows. He recalled that God’s original plan, born from the love of the Blessed Trinity, was to share divine life with humanity. Although sin wounded this plan, God offered Mary Immaculate as the model and mother who leads humanity back to holiness. God’s question in Genesis, “Where are you?”, he explained, remains a loving invitation to recognize one’s actions and return to God.
Quoting the opening prayer of the Mass and Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Fr. John-Claude emphasized that all Christians are called to be holy and blameless, but that consecrated life serves as a special sign of this universal vocation. Reflecting on the Gospel of the Annunciation, he presented Mary as the perfect model of listening to God’s Word and responding with humility and total trust.
Drawing inspiration from the Institute’s Founder, Don Domenico Labellarte, and from the spirituality of St. Padre Pio, Fr. Jean-Claude encouraged the newly professed to live attentive to God’s Word and open to the surprises of grace. He underlined that holiness is not optional but essential for full communion with God.
Addressing the newly professed brothers, the General Superior explained that through the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, they were called to become visible witnesses of the Kingdom of Heaven in today’s world. He invited the faithful to pray that their lives would clearly reflect this invisible yet real Kingdom.
In a special message to Br. Rodelio I. Mapula, AJC, who made his final profession, Fr. Jean-Claude encouraged him to remain faithful to prayer, to live in constant dialogue with God, and to preserve the joy of his definitive “yes.” He assured him of the prayers and support of the entire AJC family worldwide.
Following the liturgical celebration, the religious community, families, and guests gathered for a fraternal meal and fellowship, sharing food and joy in thanksgiving for the newly professed brothers. This provided an opportunity for the faithful to personally congratulate the brothers and to celebrate together the gift of vocation and commitment to religious life.
The celebration concluded in an atmosphere of gratitude and unity, as the community continued to support the newly professed brothers with prayers and encouragement as they move forward in their vocation and mission within the Church.