Our Lady of Sorrows ...

Yesterday, the Feast of Saint Clare, was the 21st anniversary of my First Profession as a Friar Servant of Mary. It was, quite literally, a lifetime ago. I remember kneeling before the Provincial, vowing to live my life in accord with the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience as exemplied in the Constitutions of the Order. I was vested in the ancient habit of the Seven Holy Founders, Saint Philip Benizi, and Saint Peregrine Laziozi. Such was my life for nearly 20 years until May 2005 when I was released from Solemn Vows by the Vatican to live and minister as a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.