Br. Damien Van Amerongen, F.H.S., made his perpetual promises on Saturday (May 30) with the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit, founded in the Diocese of Phoenix with the mission to tend to the pastoral and spiritual needs of Native American communities. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Dai Bui presided over the liturgy held at St. John the Baptist Parish in Laveen, Ariz.
Below is a letter from the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit describing what perpetual promises are, sharing significant details of the liturgy and explaining what this step means for Br. Damien and the community.
If you haven’t heard the exciting news, Br. Damien made his perpetual promises to the community this past Saturday, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for him.
We get a lot of questions about the different stages of the formation process, one of the questions being, what are perpetual promises?
A brother who makes perpetual promises dedicates their life to God, in service to the mission of their community for the rest of their lives.
At Br. Damien’s perpetual promises, he laid prostrate, a visible sign of his promise to lay down his life for God.
When Br. Damien made perpetual promises, he dedicated his life to God and committed to living the Rules of St. Francis and the statutes of the FHS association. He committed to living our mission, serving underserved Native communities, for the rest of his life.
We had the joy of welcoming newly ordained, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Dai Bui who received Br. Damien’s perpetual promises. Bishop Bui gave a beautiful homily, reminding us that God chooses us before we choose Him. He has a plan for us. During Br. Damien’s perpetual promises, he processed into the Church carrying a lit candle, a symbol of his baptismal candle. It’s a beautiful symbol to show that God had this plan for Br. Damien at his baptism.
Another beautiful part of perpetual promises is a prayer known as the Suscipe, meaning to “receive.” It’s a prayer of surrender to the Lord.
At Br. Damien’s perpetual promises, he prayed the Suscipe twice and on the third time, the rest of the men in our community who have made perpetual promises joined in. It was a reminder to Br. Damien that he is not alone on this journey. He is part of a brotherhood of other Friars who have also dedicated their lives to God.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Br. Damien over the years either with your prayers or financial support. It all made it possible for him to make perpetual promises.
Br. Damien will continue his seminary formation to the priesthood at Nazareth Seminary in the Diocese of Phoenix. Please continue to pray for him in his formation journey.
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit
