The Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Asia are currently holding their annual one-month final vows program. The program is being hosted by the SCJ Philippines Region and is taking place in two different locations: Father Dehon Novitiate in Locuban, Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur from June 4–17, and Sacred Heart Formation House Community in Cagayan de Oro City from June 18–July 1.

Twenty-one SCJ Brothers from three countries are participating in the program: five from the Philippines, eight from Indonesia, and eight from Vietnam. Two additional SCJ Brothers from India will join the program on June 19, 2023.

The one-month program is divided into weekly activities with a different speaker and theme. The first week’s speaker was Father Michael Augustine, SCJ, the SCJ Indian District Superior. His theme was “Being Delightful Dehonian Disciples: An Integral Approach towards Dehonianness (Psycho-Spiritual-Communitarian-Affective Maturity).”

All of the participants were able to engage actively in the week’s activities, which included getting to know one another through groupings mixed with different nationalities, discussing their thoughts on being a Dehonian and being open with one another. It was a week of insightful and delightful experiences for all the SCJ participants.

The following are some of the insights that the participants shared:

• Being a Dehonian is about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is about following his example of love, compassion, and service to others.
• Dehonianness is an integrated approach to life. It involves our psycho-spiritual, communal, and affective maturity.
• Being a delightful Dehonian disciple means being joyful, welcoming, and open to others. It means being a source of hope and inspiration in the world.

The participants are excited to continue their journey of final vows preparation. They are grateful for the opportunity to grow in their faith and to learn more about what it means to be a Dehonian. They are also looking forward to sharing their gifts and talents with the world.

The remaining weeks of the program will focus on topics such as the SCJ charism, the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and the challenges and opportunities of religious life in the 21st century. The participants will also have the opportunity to visit some SCJ parishes to learn more about the SCJ mission in the Philippines.

The final vows preparation program is an important part of the SCJ formation process. It provides the participants with the opportunity to reflect on their vocation, deepen their understanding of the SCJ charism, and prepare for a lifelong commitment to religious life.