Profession of Vows

“In living together day by day, as a woman that is part of people trying to be free and to live with dignity, I firmly believe that evangelical poverty calls us to share our time and talents with generosity, that as human beings that respect life, we are called to participate in the world struggle for all those that are victims of injustice and humiliation.

“With the vow of obedience each human being is called to serve his/her brothers and sisters with total detachment of themselves, in the face of the necessities of the poor, giving an answer to the world situation in which we are living in each moment and each place.

“The vow of celibacy invites us to be faithful to this transforming love of God who is faithful to his/her people. Celibacy conceived and lived as a practice of continuing to proclaim justice and peace for all. Learning and relationships with men and women sustain us in moments of solitude and frustration, experiences that are part of human life. So this ability to strengthen relationships of friendship, teamwork, and mutual respect for others, we make a commitment to constant growth in being sisters to all humankind.

“Loving God, who is father and mother to your people, I would like to evoke in front of all present the words of Ruth, which express the deepest commitment of love, making alive of vows of obedience, poverty and celibacy, which all of us are invited to live. ‘Do not oblige me to leave you, going far from you, because wherever you go I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God…. Where you die, there I too want to be buried.'

“I, Saskia Karina Alquinga Cahuatijo, consecrate myself to you with the vows of poverty, obedience and celibacy for one year as a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary according to our Constitutions.

“I ask Joellen McCarthy as president of our congregation to receive these vows in the name of our community and of the living church which is present in all ages.”

“Today we are celebrating…a historic day for the Community of Mary Frances Clarke…with the public profession of vows in her community by Saskia Karina Alquinga Cahuautijo,” BVM Miguel Conway proclaimed in her welcome.

In a large, sun-filled auditorium at the Working Boys' Center in Quito, Ecuador, where Saskia taught for eight years and first met the BVMs, on this November afternoon she became the first international vowed member of the congregation.

“I see in her a woman of great happiness, a spirit of prayer and a true dedication to her people as a committed religious,” Miguel continued. “In our times, when the devil tempts us to think that permanent commitment is not possible, we congratulate Saskia for her courage and we give thanks to our God for her.”

For the first reading, Saskia chose the passage in the Book of Ruth where Ruth tells her mother-in law, Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go, wherever you live I will live, your people will be my people and your God will be my God too,”

This is the same reading Saskia used two years ago for her reception into the novitiate. “Surely this reading speaks profoundly to her heart,” said Initial Membership coordinator Theresa Gleeson, BVM (Dorothy) in her reflection during the liturgy.

Theresa also recalled Article 16 of the BVM Constitutions: “We are called to live in any part of the world where there is promise of furthering the mission of Jesus through works of education, justice and peace.” Already, Saskia has spent her canonical year of novitiate in the U.S. at Mount Carmel, and her second year of novitiate in Ghana, Africa, with the BVM community there.

Saskia Alquinga Cahuatijo, BVM professes first vows; BVM President Joellen McCarthy receives them in the name of the BVM congregation.

BVM President Joellen McCarthy celebrated “Saskia, in thanksgiving for her openness to God's presence in her life, and for her courage to make this significant choice of profession in the BVM congregation… Saskia's family, for their generous gift of freeing Saskia to follow her call…our faith tradition, especially today remembering Ruth who helps us honor the richness of joining cultures….”

As the entrance song proclaimed in three languages,

“We have come from so far
Way up where the stars are
Light is what we are.”

A native of Quito who received her B.A. from the Salesian College there, Saskia is continuing her studies. BVMs have been ministering in Quito for more than 40 years.

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© 2007 Sisters of Charity, BVM