A day of celebration!  A day to give thanks to God for the wonder and mystery of a life given in generosity to the service of Lord through religious profession! It’s a celebration of both wonder and mystery, a celebration of possibilities and commitment, a celebration of call and vocation.

While Noel has been living in temporary vows the last few years during his studies of theology in San Antonio, and living as a Redemptorist in the Province of Canada, today is marked by taking that big leap, that big step, if you will, of a permanent commitment as a Redemptorist, marked by the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, which he has been living already. Now this commitment of a life of service, a life in Christ, means now living these vows in a new way, together with the vow and oath of perseverance that calls each one of us Redemptorists to a profound commitment to follow the Redeemer with the gift of our life.  This is a big step for Noel! This is a big step for us, your brothers, and the whole community that has welcomed you over these months. You have chosen us, and we have chosen you.

The readings chosen to mark this celebration for Noel speak to us of the great meaning behind this important step in his Redemptorist life.  The Lord has called each one of us through the gift of our baptism to take on the mind and heart of Christ, and has planted the call in Noel to take on the garment of salvation, symbolized in our humble but meaningful religious habit.  Like the baptismal garment that we have all worn, this habit is a sign of fraternity and mission, and of call and commitment.  So what is that call and commitment all about?  Well, St. Paul in the letter to the Colossians speaks in practical terms.  While we may clothe ourselves in this garment, this habit, we are to cloth ourselves with compassion and kindness, humility and meekness, and patience; all the key ingredients to live a good and holy life, whether we put on the habit or not.  But for Noel, these are the ingredients that have permeated his life thus far as a Redemptorist.  We have seen it in his time of studies in Toronto and in San Antonio where his kindness has always shown through, as well as caring for those with whom he has served, as well as caring and showing concern for those with whom he has lived.  Noel would stretch himself to care for those who are in need, and is always willing to learn and be open to those that the Lord places on his path.  What St. Paul speaks of in our second reading today is like a recipe. The ingredients to live life.  It is the fruit of living the spiritual life; the fruit of the tree that has been rooted and cared for in the commitment of his vocation.  Paul also says to the Colossians, as well, and this one always gets me, because it’s the most simplest of all, yet we often neglect it in our life: “Be thankful…..”  Be thankful for the call nurtured in you, to follow Christ.  To take a risk, to let go of the world by taking on the world in this religious life:  Let go of the world, by taking on the world.

While we might think that taking on a religious vocation, or final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, together with the vow and oath of perseverance is about abandoning the world, letting go of the world before us. Well, in some ways, it is.  In some expressions of religious life it is marked my more intentional expressions of separation perhaps, or at least it seems.

But not for us.  Our spirituality, our mission, our desire to follow Christ the Redeemer in this way of life is a following of Christ into the world, not away from it.  Being all those things that Paul speaks of, in the world, for the sake of the world, for the love of Christ nurtured in us and in the lives of all that we meet, in every encounter with Christ the Redeemer by our side.

I first met Noel in the front doors of St. Patrick’s Church in Toronto where I served as pastor.  Now, you might imagine that while I stood there at the back of the Church, Noel was coming in for the first time, checking out our church. After all, he was new to Toronto from Vancouver and now working, looking for a spiritual home. Nope that wasn’t the case. I think the first time I met Noel was indeed at the entrance of the Church, but he was the greeter standing at the entrance, handing out the hymn books at the beginning and then the bulletins at the end.  No sooner was Noel new to our community at St. Patrick’s than was he involved with the community with both feet in, participating in our young adult ministry, and always having that smile to greet everyone who came in. Religious life wasn’t a new venture for Noel when he met the Redemptorists. But in meeting the Redemptorists, he found a place where his search for community, of belonging, of being in mission and being with others was an expression of being home.  And so, with us Redemptorists he has found that home.  And being nurtured this past year in Yellowknife and in St. John’s, Noel has further allowed the Redeemer to call him forward in the midst of the community to live this life of service affirmed in who he is called to be as a Redemptorist; as a brother, with all of us.

As we Redemptorists come before the community, and before Christ the Redeemer making our perpetual commitment, professing our perpetual vows, we receive the Mission Cross.  It is the sign and symbol of our faith, the sign and symbol of our Redemption.  A redemption that is generously and unconditionally given to us, and poured out through us, in our mission as Redemptorist.  We hold this cross, and are commissioned with this cross to service beyond our profession day.  Noel has already walked with “a symbol” that I’m sure many of you are aware.  A symbol that has already allowed him to enter the lives of others, to be compassionate, to be present, to be himself in the midst of the world, and to be a presence in the most unlikely moments that has spoken volumes about what the Lord has done for him, and who the Lord has called him to be throughout his life and in the midst of your community.  It is through the symbol of the Pickleball Racquet.   Noel, even in the moments when you’re out in the community, in the least obvious ways, people recognize the presence of Christ in YOUR actions, in your words, in your gestures, even when they don’t know what you’re entirely about, as a religious. The Pickleball Racquet doesn’t replace the symbol of Christ, the cross.  But it allows YOU to shine as that symbol of Christ that we find in the cross, making him known through all that you bring.  That is the essence of the Religious life… That is the essence of who you have been formed to become.  Being a witness to the work and good news of our Redeemer.  This is the essence of who you are already.

So, stand before us this night. Stand with our Mother of Perpetual Help, who guides and inspires us to point the way to Her son.  To be the witness not only of faith and hope, but to be a witness to the wonder and possibility of the love of God in the midst of a wounded world.  Preach good news!  Live good news! Be Good News!