Last year was full of significance for Australia’s largest Norbertine community, based at St Joseph’s Church and St Norbert College in Queens Park, as the Norbertine communities worldwide celebrated 900 years of the founding of the Order.
On Sunday, 14 November, hundreds of attendees witnessed the Profession of Vows of Brothers John De Agnel Anthoni Samy O Praem, Kenneth Torogori O Praem and Stephen Tee Chean Leng O Praem at St Joseph’s Church, Queens Park.
One of the Norbertine Perth congregation founding fathers Fr Stephen Cooney O Praem, who is now in his 90s, was also in attendance.
The Professions were celebrated during a Solemn Eucharist celebrated by Queens Park/East Cannington Parish Priest Rev Father Peter Stiglich, followed by a reception.
Brothers John and Kenneth took the Solemn Profession of Vows (life vows) and Brother Stephen took the Simple Profession of Vows (temporary, for three years).
The whole St Joseph’s Parish Choir combined to make the liturgical celebration uplifting, attracting the active participation of the congregation which filled the 500-seat church.
The brothers were fortunate to be joined by their spiritual directors and priests from the Diosese as well as colleagues and friends from Notre Dame University.
The event was live streamed to their families in Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and to Norbertine communities in America and Germany.
The highlight of the ceremony was when Brothers Kenneth and John – in a prayerful position called “prostration” – lay face down with their head in their arms in “humility and submission to the will of God” during the Litany of the Saints.
In his homily, Fr Stiglich said these significant steps taken by the brothers on their journey to full incorporation into the Order heralded a new era for the Norbertines of the Canonry of St Joseph in Queens Park.
The professions coincided with the 900-year anniversary of the founding of the Order by Norbert of Xanten in 1121.
