VOWS

All Christians are called to live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to their state in life. Men and women in consecrated life, through a sacred bond (ordinarily a vow), promise lifelong celibate chastity, poverty, and obedience for love of God alone.  As diocesan priests, we have already promised celibate chastity and obedience to our bishop.  We take these two promises and elevate them to the level of a vow to God, along with poverty.  These vows are recognized and received by the Church as the formal vows of consecrated life.  Chastity is lived as celibacy consecrated to God.  Obedience is to our local Ordinary, as well as to our Rule of Life (which centers on fraternal support and living diocesan priesthood faithfully).  Poverty is a commitment to live simply and generously, as Jesus taught.