Father Rolly shares seven lasting words on religious life
In his capacity as Provincial Vicar, Fr. Rolly Fernandez presided over the profession rites on May 31, 2007 during the Eucharistic Celebration in which 24 Camillian formands offered their perpetual profession, renewal, and first profession of vows. He preached a homily that shed much light on the essence of religious life. He stressed seven points:
 |
-
Religious life is a vocation and not a career. It is a distinct response of love to God who loved us first.
-
In religious life, faithfulness to the charism matters more than success.
-
Spirituality is at the heart of religious life. It is that almost imperceptible element that defines the religious as a religious “na may dating” (a religious with an impact), a religious who somehow communicates the presence of God by his sheer presence.
-
Religious life is participation in community life that leads to community witnessing. A religious must always strive to veer away from individualism.
-
Creativity must be kept alive in religious life. A religious can be delivered from mediocrity if he keeps in touch with the dynamism of the Spirit which is the wellspring of creativity.
-
Obedience is a vital aspect of religious life which leads the religious to humility.
-
Behind every great man is a woman. For the Camillian religious, this woman is Mary.