The Vows of Consecrated Life (Part1)

A vow is simply a promise to God.  The religious vows are sacred promises made to God, in the Church by which one is incorporated into a canonically approved institute. According to Canon law, “by religious profession members assume by public vow the observance of the three evangelical counsels,  are consecrated to God, and are incorporated into the institute with rights and duties defined by law” (CIC 654). The vows set consecrated persons apart from the people; they become ‘consecrated’ persons by the virtue of this total dedication.


Varieties of Vows

There are three major vows (also known as evangelical counsels) often professed by most consecrated men and women namely; poverty, chastity and obedience. The vows can be differentiated according to their duration. Thus, we have temporary and perpetual vows (sometimes called first and final vows respectively). Temporary vows are taken for certain period of time and they can be renewed a number of times before the perpetual vows. Perpetual vows are professed for one’s life time.

A vow can also be simple or solemn. A simple vow is a promise made to God concerning certain actions or inaction but not recognized as solemn as such by the church.  A vow can be public and still be simple. A solemn vow is any vow designated as such by the Church. Though most religious orders and congregations profess three vows, there are exceptions. Some congregations profess the fourth vow. For example, the Jesuits profess the fourth vow of obedience to the Pope, while Daughters of Charity profess the forth vow of service to persons who are poor.



The Purpose of Vows

The vows of consecrated life are essentially an expression of a unique, personal and intimate relationship with God. Vatican II suggests two fundamental reasons for professing the vows:  “first, in order to be set free from hindrances that could hold him back from loving God ardently and worshiping Him perfectly, and secondly in order to consecrate himself in a more thoroughgoing way to the service of God” (Lumen Gentium, n. 44).

By pronouncing the vows, the consecrated persons enter into a profound and exclusive relationship with the Trinity. This unique relationship between the Trinity and the consecrated persons is spousal in nature. The consecrated persons are totally and irrevocably united with God. God becomes their ALL. Ultimately, the goal of the vows is union with God. The profession of the vows is a pledge of total, unequivocal and unreserved dedication to God. The profession of vows is an act of self donation; the pledge of ultimate self giving.

An Irresistible Invitation

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). In order to appreciate the full import and impart of this invitation, we have to consider very closely who is inviting us. Far more important than the invitation is the person who is inviting. In this context, the person who is inviting us is Jesus- the second Person of the Trinity. The Word in Whom and through Whom we are created. The Word who displayed his everlasting love by assuming our flesh, who ultimately died for us on the cross. Because the person who is inviting us is supremely divine, this invitation assumes a unique dimension and meaning.

“Come to me” is a beautiful invitation, so timely, so loving, so consoling, and so reassuring.  Just knowing who is inviting us even without knowing why we are invited- we are already full of hope; anticipating wonderful, stupendous things. This invitation is an expression of love, a manifestation of tenderness, an initiation of God’s boundless mercy, a clear sign that the Lord sees and feels what we are going through.  This tender appeal is a “divine penetration into man’s true condition…Jesus looks with clear-sighted compassion into the inmost history of all hearts, and sees the toil and the sorrow which weigh on every soul.” It is a pledge that the Lord will put an end not just to our sorrow but the cause of our sorrow.

Considering the fact that this gracious invitation is coming from our loving Savior and expressed with infinite compassion, it becomes almost irresistible. Who will be blind not to see who is extending the invitation? Who will be deaf not to hear such affectionate invitation full of tenderness? Who will be so slow in responding to this urgent invitation? Who does not desperately desire the rest that only the Lord can offer? It is a huge disservice to labour in vain and carry our burdens alone when the good Lord is graciously, almost impatiently waiting to assist and comfort us.

We will spend our whole lives responding to this loving invitation. Our response is absolutely consequential. We come to Jesus not with fear or trepidation. We come to Jesus with reverence and trust.  And He will give us rest, relief, and refreshment. The Lord’s promise can never fail. The Lord will always fulfill his promise. Only God can give us the rest we desperately desire.

St Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need: the wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward; the Word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me,
Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort me and restore me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me, Christ in the hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three, of Whom all nature hath creation; Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.


I bind myself to God's power to guide me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to shelter me, God's host to secure me...Against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices, against the lusts of nature, against everyone who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, few or many.

Composed by St. Patrick