Make First
Profession
Bros. John Patrick Castonguay and Kevin Robert White made their first profession of vows as Salesians on August 15 at the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, N.Y. Both professed as clerical members of the Society. Fr. Tim Zak received their vows in the name of the Rector Major.
More than 200 of the faithful took part in the Mass, nearly as many as permitted in the Shrine chapel under the rules obtaining during the Covid-19 pandemic. Among them were 23 Salesian priest celebrants, 14 other Salesians, family members of Bro. John and Bro. Kevin, students and alumni from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., and other friends and members of the Salesian Family.
Bros.
John and Kevin completed a year of novitiate in the Salesian community of
Richmond, Calif., guided by master of novices Fr. Joseph Thinh Nguyen of the
San Francisco Province and Fr. John Puntino, socius, of the New Rochelle Province.
Prior to that, they made a year of prenovitiate at Don Bosco Prep under the
direction of Bro. Tom Dion.
A very irregular situation: Fr. Tim Zak’s homily
The provincial’s homily highlighted some extraordinary factors—not only the pandemic, but also the Virgin Mary’s vocation (on her feastday, the Assumption) and the vocation of Bros. John and Kevin.
The
relatively new master of novices, Fr. Joe Nguyen, was expecting a “regular
year,” the two novices had told Fr. Tim in the run-up to their profession. Of
course, it didn’t turn out that way. According to Fr. Tim, that was because God
was sending a message that religious profession isn’t “regular” but
extraordinary. It’s a lofty choice that deepens one’s baptismal commitment;
it’s the beginning of a new life.
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| Fr. Tim Zak asks the ritual questions about the novices' readiness to accept the responsibilities of religious profession. |
On
the feast of the Assumption, Fr. Tim continued, we note that Mary is a model of
faith. She found the hand of God in the unexpected circumstances of her life,
starting with the Annunciation. She understood and grasped what God was doing
in and through her, as she acclaimed in her Magnificat (today’s gospel). She expressed
her participation in the people of Israel and what God has done for them. Bros.
Kevin and John can sing with Mary of what God is doing in their lives.
The
feast of the Assumption, said Fr. Tim, affirms that the human person, both body
and soul, is precious in God’s eyes. On the Assumption we celebrate God’s
victory shown in Mary. It’s a celebration of hope for all people, that one day
we’ll sing God’s glory in our bodies and souls as whole, saved persons.
Today
many young people are without hope. They use their bodies in unhealthy ways,
and they discard persons who are no longer useful. Pope Francis notes the
“throwaway culture” of our society.
The
Salesians, on the other hand, are signs and bearers of God’s love for the
young, including those without hope. Bros. Kevin and John have taken on the
vocation of showing the young, the little, and the poor how precious they are
to God. Like Mary, they’re putting their lives at God’s disposal; they’re ready
for whatever surprises God may have in their future. They’re ready to show the
young how much they’re loved.
At
the end of Mass each of the newly professed men spoke briefly, thanking God,
the Virgin Mary, and their families for the gift of their vocation, and
thanking their brother Salesians for their support. Bro. John stated that he’ll
be able to be a “sign and bearer of God’s love” because he has first
experienced that love from God and others.
Bro. John Castonguay: Eucharist, music, and the
classroom
Bro. John, 27, grew up in Pennington, N.J. His parents, John and Theresa Castonguay, now live in Richboro, Pa. He’s the oldest of their four offspring (two boys, two girls). His sister Kate has served as cantor at several Salesian celebrations. In his family he learned devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary.
John
started to discern religious life while he was attending Fordham University and
growing in his prayer life and a desire to give his life to God’s service. Because
of his experience working with young people, a friend suggested he consider the
Salesians. The vocation office put him in touch with Fr. John Serio for
spiritual direction, which he continued during graduate studies at Providence
College, earning an M.Ed. in secondary education. John found in Fr. John “a
true model of Salesian accompaniment.”
Pursuing
his passion for music, John sang and directed vocal music ensembles, arranged
music, and took part in international a cappella and barbershop quartet
competitions.
During
his candidacy year (2017-2018) at Don Bosco Prep, and then his prenovitiate
(2018-2019), he found in the local Salesian community “incredible models of
joyful fraternity [and] self-sacrificing love for the young people at Ramsey.”
He was naturally attracted to Salesian spirituality’s “two pillars of the
Blessed Sacrament and Mary Help of Christians.”
John
was first drawn to the Salesians by our apostolate. His experience as a history
and vocal music teacher while he was doing graduate studies confirmed his
vocation of working with the young. Mission trips with Don Bosco Prep students
and staff to Belle Glade and Haiti deeply impressed him.
As
a novice he especially liked working with the Salesians of Richmond as well as
Cooperators and Salesian sisters in fostering Eucharistic adoration, which
received greater emphasis during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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| Bro. John Castonguay, backed by his parents, pronounces his vows. The SDB witnesses are Bro. Travis Gunther (left) and Fr. Jim Heuser (center). |
He
expects to use his musical talent and love for teaching to build relationships
with the young and introduce them “to God through beauty and joy.”
Bro. Kevin White: Salesian example, prayer, and
schools
Bro. Kevin, 22, comes from Glen Rock, N.J., and is an alumnus of Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey. His mother is Kathleen White; his father, Patrick White, is deceased. He has a twin sister.
At
Don Bosco, Kevin was strongly influenced by Fr. Matt DeGance, the school’s CYM.
“He showed me that real joy consists in serving God first and foremost in your
life,” and he “helped me start my relationship with Christ.” Kevin wanted to do
what he saw Fr. Matt doing: finding joy in serving God and the young; and to
lead other young people to have a sound experieo be involved in youth ministry through schools and sports. He’d also
like to help with digital ministry, through which he can meet the young where
they are and have a positive impact on their lives.
See additional photos.
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| Bro. Kevin pronounces his vows, backed by his mother and sister. The SDB witnesses are Fr. Pat Angelucci (left) and Bro. Al Flatoff (center). |
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