Society Matters | Volume 31 No. 2 | Winter 2021

7 Volume 31 No. 2 | Winter 2021 “You are called to be part of the rebuilding of the Church. The Church might be smaller, humbler, but if we follow Christ and his Kingdom vision it will be a Church of humility and inclusivity.” Reflecting on their Final Vows and ordination to the Diaconate, the five young men all thanked those who had helped and supported them along the way, including their families, friends, teachers and members of the Society of the Divine Word. Francois said the two days of celebration were “remarkable and joyful” days in his vocational journey. “Doing God’s mission delights my soul, following the footsteps of Christ and Arnold Janssen our Founder gladdens my heart and becoming a perpetual member of the SVD gives me joy. I am excited to embrace my future and my mission,” he said. Marius said that as a young man flooded with today’s culture of entertainment, Facebook, Whatsapp, YouTube and Netflix, he realised he also needed a purpose in his life. “I am very grateful to God for calling me and many young people to commit themselves to proclaim his love, in their very own way, to all. My journey has just started in the Society and I believe the best is yet to come,” he said. For Nicholas, the taking of final vows and ordination to the Diaconate was a cause of great joy. “Perhaps in the future, there will be many difficulties and challenges. But in God’s hand, with the grace of God and the support of my parents, brothers and sisters and friends, I hope that I will become a fruitful missionary to build the Kingdom of the Lord,” he said. And Hai, drew on the beautiful prayer of Mary, the Magnificat, for his reflection. “As Mother Mary praises God for what God has done for her; I also feel that taking Final Vows and the Diaconate are great gifts I have received. I praise and thanks God for the two precious gifts,” he said. Finally, Edward said his religious journey has been a long wait for God’s amazing blessings and favours. “Looking back to where I started from and where the Lord has brought me now, I say, it is just by God’s grace. Trusting in God’s providence, I kept my focus on what God can do for me in Christ Jesus. So, having been blessed to take my final vows and instituted as a Transitional Deacon, my song is of gratitude to God, my formators and everyone who helped me to come this far.” The young missionaries have received their first assignments, which they hope to be able to take up as international borders open: Edward - Zimbabwe Region; Hai - Colombia; Francois - Australia; Marius - Netherlands- Belgium; Duc - USA Chicago Province.