Vows Day & St. Andrew Bobola: Missionary Zeal and Fidelity to Vows

Introduction

May 16th is one of the special Feast Days in the Society of Jesus and particularly in Eastern African Province. Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew Bobola SJ, a Polish Jesuit missionary and martyr. It is also a day, Jesuit scholastic in the East African Province of Society of Jesus pronounce perpetual vows. On this very day in the La Storta Chapel at Gonzaga Gonza Jesuit Novitiate in Arusha, many Jesuits like me pronounce their perpetual vows. Thus, this feast holds deep personal significance for many of these Jesuits. Now, Saint Andrew Bobola’s life and martyrdom inspire many of us to reflect on what it means to be a Jesuit. What it Means to be wholly dedicated to Christ’s mission, even in the face of suffering and death.

Missionary Zeal: To Go Forth and Set the World on Fire

St. Andrew Bobola’s missionary work in today’s Belarus was marked by fervent preaching, deep compassion, and an unrelenting drive to live and impart Christ’s teachings. His dedication reminds us of what Christ said: I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.  

Saint Andrew Bobola followed in the path of Saint Ignatius. Like him, he too urged Jesuits to strive to find the will of God in all things. St. Andrew Bobola saw the will of God in the people he served, even amidst the chaos in the mission. His zeal resonates with our today’s apostolic preferences to walk with the excluded, and to show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment.  

Fidelity in Suffering: The Cross as the Path to Glory

St. Andrew Bobola really understood the meaning of the Cross. He followed the way of the Cross even to martyrdom. He was persecuted, brutally tortured, and killed for refusing to renounce his faith. His steadfastness echoes the words of Saint Paul: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” This words also echoes the virtue of Fr. Bernard Malya who imparted his missionary values to Jesuits at the Novitiate to the very end. May we all find the strength like St. Andrew to face the challenges of our crosses.  

His witness reminds us to reflect on the spiritual exercise #98 on the third degree of humility. To desire to imitate Christ in poverty, humility, and even persecution. St. Andrew Bobola did not only endure suffering, he embraced it as a way of the Cross to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

The Jesuit Vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience

As I mentioned earlier, this day holds a special place with respect to our vows, It reminds us with respect to St. Andrew that our vows are not only a commitment but a submission to the will of God. It is a reminder to embrace an important spiritual exercise in our daily lives. It was God’s will that we received, and it is God’s will that we Give. Jesus tells us you have received freely. Saint Ignaitus responded to this call in spiritual exercise #234, Take Lord and receive. May we embrace the vows of life as Saint. Andrew Bobola did in his lifetime.

Today as we celebrate our Jesuit Vows and embrace our call to Service, may Saint Andrew Bobola continue to inspire us to be men of virtue, open to love and service faithfully with our lives to the end. And to be true men and women for others. May we follow in the example of St. Andrew Bobola, Amen.

Happy Vows, Day!