Cascia Hall Alum Spencer Thomas Takes Vows
CEREMONIAL AUGUSTINIANS: From the vow ceremony that took place during Mass at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, Illinois, Thomas is second from left. The other Augustinians are, from left, Fr. Stephen Isley, Fr. Bernie Scianna and Bro. Nick Mullarkey.
Courtesy photo
Cascia Hall is proud to announce that Spencer Thomas took his first vows in the Augustinian Order on Aug. 4. Thomas grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Cascia Hall in 2011. While at Cascia, he participated in soccer, drama/musical theater, ultimate frisbee, and bowling. He went on to earn his BA in Classics from Missouri State University.
Before taking his vows, Thomas completed a year of pre-novitiate in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, from 2016-2017 while studying at Villanova University. He then completed a year of novitiate in Racine, Wisconsin, from 2017-2018. The novitiate is a year of intense prayer and study as one prepares to make vows. He will continue to renew his vows every year until he makes his solemn profession of vows, which last for the rest of his life. He will now study Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
The vow ceremony took place during Mass at St. Jude Parish in New Lenox, Illinois. Thomas promised to follow the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These promises were made to the provincial of the Midwest Augustinians, Tony Pizzo, , who represented the prior general of the Order in Rome, Alejandro Moral Anton, . During the ceremony, Thomas changed from the white habit of a novice to his new black habit. He also committed himself to following the Rule of Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order, both of which guide the way Augustinian friars live each day.
It was a joyful day for the Augustinians as two other men took their first vows along with Thomas: Fr. Ray Flores (Midwest province) and Emmanuel Isaac (California Province). This was also a joyful day for the Cascia Hall community since Thomas is the first alum to take vows since Fr. Martin Laird, (class of 1977). Fr. Laird currently teaches at Villanova University.
Congratulations to Thomas as he takes this momentous step in his vocation.
Updated 10-16-2018
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