Here I am, Lord, to do your will!
On Saturday, August 24, 2024, we had the grace to witness the generous response of our Brother Rafael Huerta Ramos: Here I am Lord, to do your will, who pronounced his perpetual vows as a religious of the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption.
The vocation to religious life and perpetual dedication means that he embraces for life, the commitment to live in community and with the help of the brothers, the evangelical counsels of: Poverty, Obedience and Chastity, in imitation of Jesus Christ, in this case, within this Assumption family under the observance of the rule of life and spirituality inherited by Father Emmanuel D’Alzon, our founder.
He pronounced his vows before the Provincial Superior of the Augustinians of the Assumption of North America, Father Chi Ai Nguyen. This commitment is a response to the immense love and mercy that God manifested in the life of Bro. Rafael, an experience that our brother shared with us during this beautiful Eucharistic celebration, with all the details that made it up, starting with the Word of God, chosen for this day, the songs, the atmosphere, the different moments of the rite of vows, the consecration of the brother and all the people who accompanied: his parents, family, priests, religious, friends, etc., all, as a whole, are part of this great manifestation of goodness of our Father God towards him and all the people of the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle, where this emotional moment took place.
The words of the regional of the Augustinian religious of the Assumption, Father Louis, addressed to the brother, emphasized the importance of prayer for the life of the religious, living for the extension of the Kingdom, community life, service to the Church, forgetting oneself, one’s own will. He mentioned the importance of the joy of the heart to live the will of God, giving all of himself for the Church, reminded him of the Triple Love, referred to by Father Emmanuel D’Alzon: Love of Jesus Christ, to be in a special way of Jesus Christ, the whole being must tend towards Him; Love of the Virgin Mary, his mother, that Mary may always be the model of surrender; Love of the Church, to have a deep attachment to the Church. Before concluding the celebration, Brother Rafael shared with us in his words that God is the one who sustains the steps and decisions of each one of us because God wants us to be free, he gives us his love to be able to share it with others, as he himself has experienced. This moment in which he addressed some words to us was so significant because he was very moved, many of us present were invaded by the same feeling of deep gratitude to God for the life of this brother, for his generous yes, for his parents who accompanied him and who also add to this response to the God of life, and so it is with a grateful heart that the Eucharistic celebration was concluding.
Afterwards, we lived with great joy the sacred food, it was a time of sharing with all those present, the food, the regional dances, the cake, etc., this moment was prepared with much affection, generosity and collaboration of the parish and its communities. We thank all of them for their attentions. In our prayers we ask that this work of God may continue on its way and that we may see it fulfilled in the life of our Brother Rafael so that he may continue under the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, with abundant fruits. Let us give thanks to God.
Sister Elizabeth Velázquez Romero
Oblate Sisters of the Assumption, Religious Missionary Sisters
