Chris Collins, S.J., Professes Final Vows

Christopher Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity, made his final vows Sunday evening during the 9 p.m. Campus Ministry Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church. Nearly 1,000 people were in attendance.

Collins was called to make his final vows by the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicolás, S.J. The last step of incorporation into the Society, final vows represent the Society's commitment to Collins. They signify a confirmation of years of discernment, testing, and experience as a Jesuit.

Collins took vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and special obedience to the pope in matters of mission (the famous Jesuit "fourth vow"). After the Mass, he also took five simple vows, which included obedience to the provincial and promises not to relax Jesuit rules on poverty and not to ambition to higher offices within the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Church.

Ron Mercier, S.J., Jesuit provincial of the Central and Southern Province, received Collins' vows and held the Eucharist before him as he professed.

During his homily, Collins spoke about his journey discerning his vocation and his focus in ministry, and how he discovered God's love despite his own unworthiness. He also said he realized that it did not matter precisely what he was assigned to do during his priesthood, because ultimately it was all God's world and the work of His church.

The Department of Campus Ministry hosted a cake and punch reception in the church hall following Mass.

About Fr. Collins' Journey as a Jesuit

Collins has been a Jesuit since he entered the Jesuit novitiate in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1995, and made his initial commitment to the Society of Jesus with his first vows in 1997. He then continued his Jesuit formation (training) for 12 more years at places such as Creighton University, Saint Louis University, Marquette University High School, Weston Jesuit School of Theology and Boston College.

In 2006, Collins was ordained a priest, and then served for two years as a pastor on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 2012 he did his tertianship, the last stage of Jesuit formation. His tertianship included the 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola in Portland, Oregon; a pilgrimage to Mexico City; study of Jesuit history and the Jesuit constitutions in Los Angeles, California; and extended service work at the Brothers of the Good Shepherd homeless shelter in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Those interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a Jesuit can visit vocations.jesuits.org.