Congratulations Brother John Paul, Brother Paul Andrew, and Sister Clarisse!

A sacred celebration of vows took place within the Seeds of the Word Community on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in St. Mary's Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop McGrattan, and concelebrated by Archbishop Alberto Taveira Corrêa (Archbishop of Belém in Brazil, and guaranteeing Bishop of the Seeds of the Word Community) and other priests in the diocese. Sister Mary Sarah, the community's superior, was also present. 

This celebration witnessed Christopher Kokot, now Brother John Paul, professing his first vows, while Brother Paul Andrew and Sister Clarisse took their temporary vows. 

In his speech during Mass, Brother John Paul noted in thanksgiving: "I want to thank you, Bishop McGrattan, for your love, your support, your care, and your welcoming of us Brothers here in the diocese of Calgary. Without your paternal care, without your true shepherding, we would not be here, and this celebration would not be taking place." 

He gave a special thanks to Fr. Cristino, Vicar of Vocations and Young Adults, "And I also must acknowledge a man who works tirelessly and diligently in this diocese, promoting vocations and helping bring people to God: Fr. Cristino. And while I’m not sorry that we the Seeds of the Word have made you cry like a baby this publicly twice in the span of a year, I do thank you for having encouraged my vocation, and encouraged me to follow God’s will in my life, encouraged me to live out the call to the Seeds of the Word Community, so that, with God’s help and grace, I can become the saint that I am meant to be."

Brother John Paul shared about the new name he has now taking: "There is a triple mystery: St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, and obviously, St. John Paul II."

"John is the disciple who relies on Jesus, and he goes all the way to the Cross. The passage that finds my vocation comes from his Gospel."

"Paul is the missionary, whose name means small. Paul doesn’t count the cost and rejoices in his weakness."
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"And, John Paul II. The Great. The Pope, the Pole, and for us Polish people, OUR Pope, but he truly is everyone’s Pope. With him come the ecclesial graces. He is the one who suffered and leaned on the cross to sustain him."

Brother John Paul summarized what he found beautiful about these three great saints: they each gave their lives wholly and completely to God, albeit in different ways. He admires John's deep intimacy with the Lord, Paul's missionary zeal and sacrifice for the Church, and John Paul II's unwavering dedication to humanity and God, despite old age and illness.

The vocation of consecrated men and women have been for our Church from her earliest days a living witness to the truth of the fact God alone is enough and it is ultimately He to whom we must cling now in preparation for an eternity of adoring Him forever." ~Fr. Cristino Bouvette, Vicar of Vocations & Young Adults. ​

Let us give thanks for this beautiful continue to pray for those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. St. Joseph, pray for us. ​

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Photos credit: Victor Panlilio and Bandi Szakony, for Seeds of the Word Community