Arlington Heights native takes vows as Viatorian brother
One of the largest crowds in the history of the Viatorian Province Center Chapel packed the place Saturday for a liturgical celebration - the first vows of a religious brother and Arlington Heights native.
Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, professed his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before a full house of 140 family members, friends and fellow Viatorians. He will take final vows in three years.
"I ask for the grace of God to serve this religious community more fully," Br. Peter said to Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, provincial at the outset of the ceremony.
Br. Peter came to know the Viatorians as a student at Saint Viator High School, where he graduated in 2007. In fact, he pointed to an assignment in ethics class during his senior year when he first heard a call to religious life.
"We had to write a letter to our future self in 10 years," he relates. "I wasn't sure of what to write and just stared at the page for a while. Then I experienced this overwhelming feeling that I was meant to give my entire life to helping others."
Fr. John Van Wiel, CSV, Br. Peter's former chemistry teacher, served as novice director over the last year. Far from the days of old when novices wore cassocks and followed strict routines of prayer, meditation and silent reflection, the modern day novitiate aims to educate and affirm the person discerning religious life.
"It's been refreshing for me, spiritually, as well," says Fr. Van Wiel, who taught chemistry at Saint Viator High School for 25 years before retiring in 2013. "I've enjoyed helping Peter grow spiritually.
"But, in today's world, it's done in a way that's compatible with his personality type," he adds, "by providing materials and experiences that he can identify with and grow from."
Fr. von Behren credited Br. Peter's spiritual upbringing within his family, at Saint Viator High School, at Benedictine University in Lisle and at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, which all helped to bring him to this point.
"This call, heard within the whispers of others throughout your life story," Fr. von Behren said, "is now to be lived out in service to the people of God as a consecrated religious.
"We Viatorians rejoice with you this day, and with your family," Fr. von Behren added, "and we pray that you will be filled with the grace necessary to live out these vows in holiness and humility."
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