Brother Baraka Chilebo Revocatus, A.A., makes his final profession as an Augustinian of the Assumption
A Day of Grace for the Assumptionist Family
There are moments in the life of a religious community that invite everyone to stop, give thanks, and recognize the quiet work of God. The Final Vows of Brother Baraka Chilebo Revocatus, A.A., on Saturday, September 12, 2026, was one of those moments.
At St. Columbkille Church in Brighton, Brother Baraka stood before God and the gathered community and made a lifelong commitment as an Augustinian of the Assumption. Surrounded by his Assumptionist brothers, members of the wider Church, classmates, faculty, parishioners, friends, and guests, he pronounced the vows that place his whole life in God’s hands and in service to the Church and the mission of the Assumption.
The celebration was joyful, but it was also deeply sacred. Final profession is not simply the completion of a formation program. It is the fruit of years of prayer, discernment, community life, learning, service, and trust. It is a person’s free response to a call that has been heard and tested over time: a promise to keep following Christ, not only for a season, but for life.
Every Vocation Has a Story
During the Mass, Fr. Chi Ai Nguyen, A.A., Provincial Superior of the Assumptionists, reflected on the unique story carried by every vocation. No two journeys are exactly the same. Each person comes with his own history, questions, gifts, struggles, and encounters with God’s grace.
For the Assumptionist community, this truth carries special meaning. At a time when religious vocations are fewer in North America, the call of a new brother is received with gratitude. A vocation is never only about one person. It is a gift entrusted to a community – something to welcome, accompany, encourage, and nurture.
Fr. Chi Ai offered the image of a tree. A tree experiences sunlight, rain, wind, storms, and changing seasons. Yet through all of them, it continues to reach toward the light while sending its roots deeper into the earth. In the same way, a life of faith is called to remain turned toward heaven while being deeply rooted in the reality of human life.
This image gave a beautiful way to understand Brother Baraka’s profession. His vocation is not a promise that every day will be easy. It is a promise to remain rooted in Christ through every season, allowing grace to deepen his life and guide his mission.
A Promise Made Before God and the Community
For those gathered in the church, the vows were more than words spoken during a ceremony. They were a visible sign of trust: trust in God, trust in the calling Brother Baraka has received, and trust that the Lord who began this journey with him will continue to accompany him.
Brother Baraka himself expressed gratitude for two gifts that have shaped his journey: the gift of faith and the gift of vocation. That gratitude was felt throughout the celebration. His final profession marked an important milestone, but it also opened a new chapter – a life continuing to unfold through prayer, community, mission, and service.
In a world that continues to need witnesses of hope, compassion, faith, and service, the commitment of religious men and women remains a meaningful sign. The Church needs people willing to give themselves generously to prayer, community, education, pastoral ministry, service to those in need, and the many places where God’s people are searching for encouragement and hope. Brother Baraka’s ‘yes’ joins the many faithful responses that have carried the mission of the Church from one generation to the next.
Bro. Baraka and Sr. Clare
A Witness Shared by All
Sister Clare, reflecting on the celebration, described it as both a privilege and a blessing to be present for Brother Baraka’s Final Vows. For her, the ceremony made visible the gift of God at work through formation and discernment, and it offered the whole community a chance to witness a sacred, lifelong promise.
“It was a sacred moment to witness a lifelong commitment to God and to the service of God’s Church. It also invited those of us who have already responded to God’s call in our own lives to renew that commitment with joy.”
Her reflection captures something important about a profession of vows: while one brother comes forward to make the promise, the moment touches everyone present. It can remind a priest of his ordination, a religious sister or brother of their own profession, a married couple of their covenant, and every Christian of the call first received in baptism. Another person’s faithful ‘yes’ can awaken gratitude for our own.
One Family, Many Communities
The Mass brought together people from different parts of Brother Baraka’s life and from the wider Assumptionist family, including members of the Congregation and members of the U.S., African, and Asian communities. Their presence was a reminder that vocation grows through relationships. Behind every profession are people who prayed, taught, listened, encouraged, challenged, welcomed, and walked beside the person discerning God’s call.
The celebration continued after Mass with a joyful reception, giving everyone time to share congratulations, friendship, food, and gratitude. The Assumptionists also extend heartfelt thanks to the priests and community of St. Columbkille Church in Brighton for their generous welcome and hospitality. Their friendship helped make this important day feel at home.
Rooted in Christ, Sent on Mission
Final vows are sometimes described as an ending, because they come after years of formation. In another sense, they are a beginning. Brother Baraka now continues his Assumptionist life with a permanent commitment – carrying forward the spirituality, community life, and mission he has embraced.
The image from Fr. Chi Ai’s homily remains a fitting one: Brother Baraka is a unique tree in God’s garden. His roots have been nourished by faith, formation, community, prayer, and the people who have accompanied him. His branches continue to reach toward the light of Christ. And his life, offered to God, is called to bear fruit for others.
For the Assumptionist family, this is a reason for deep joy. It is also a reason to pray – for Brother Baraka, for all those in formation, for young people discerning their path, and for new vocations to religious life and priesthood. The need is real, but so is the hope found whenever someone listens carefully to God’s invitation and has the courage to answer.
May Brother Baraka Chilebo Revocatus, A.A., remain deeply rooted in Christ, faithful in community, generous in service, and always turned toward the light of God. May the Lord strengthen him in every season of his vocation and make his life a blessing to the Church and to all those he is called to serve.
Congratulations, Brother Baraka.
The Assumptionist family gives thanks to God for your vocation and walks with you in prayer as your mission continues.
Final Vows of Brother Baraka Chilebo Revocatus, A.A. • September 12, 2026 • St. Columbkille Church, Brighton
