On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Brother Rafael took his perpetual vows.
You can watch a replay of the celebration on the YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@paroquiasaopauloapostolo-m8g?si=IMQKWOjjo-tRdrLY
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary, together with the faithful of St. Rita and the students of the R.U.L., are deeply delighted to celebrate the perpetual profession of vows by our brother Rafael, who is originally from Brazil.
Through this free and definitive commitment, Rafael entrusts his entire life to the Lord. By professing the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience for life, he responds to Christ’s call and chooses to follow him with undivided devotion, as part of the religious family of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.
This perpetual profession is not only the culmination of a long journey of discernment and formation; above all, it marks the beginning of a new stage. Every day, Rafael will be called to renew the “yes” he pronounces today, in fidelity to prayer, fraternal life, and service to the people of God.
On this blessed day, we wish to express to him our fraternal closeness, our affection, and our joy. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of his vocation, and we pray that he may always find in his consecration a source of peace, inner freedom, and apostolic fruitfulness.
May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Oblates and model of all consecrated life, accompany him and keep him faithful. May the Venerable Father Lanteri, our founder, inspire him in the total gift of himself—a gift whose only measure is to be without measure—and in humble and generous service to the Church. May Saint Rita, finally, sustain his hope and trust in times of trial.
Dear Brother Rafael, our entire community is with you in prayer today. May your life, given up forever, be a living witness to God’s faithfulness and to the joy of following Christ.
Fr. François LAPOINTE, OMV, Rector and Director
