Here am I Lord. Send me!
What questions were raised in the hearts of the young people witnessing this event? One young man commented to me after the event that he 'wanted to cry' because he was so moved by what he had seen unfold.
Each, in his turn, then rose, came forward, knelt with his hands prayerfully clasped and placed them in the hands of the Minister Provincial, who recieved their vows: Therefore I commit myself with all my heart to this Brotherhood
The capacity to do this comes from beyond them. If they had not yet realised that, they would not have been judged ready to make this solemn public profession of perpetual vows. 
They have followed a way of conversion in these five years of living the Capuchin way of life that has given them a deeper knowledge of themselves so that on Sunday afternoon 14th February 2010 at St Fiacre's Catholic Church they could stand before the other Capuchin friars and ask the Minister Provincial: "We ask that by professing the Rule and life of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, we may be able to follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with His holy operation follow in His footsteps all the days of our lives."
Knowing that the fulfilment of this holy desire placed in us by the operation of the Spirit of the Lord is beyond our own strength, the Church, through the liturgy, invited Br James and Br Thomas to prostrate themselves before the altar and call on the help of the saints. The Litany of the Saints was then sung.
I, Brother James/Thomas,
moved by divine inspiration to live the Gospel
and follow closely in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ
with a firm and steadfast will,
before the brothers here present
and at your hands, Brother Gary,
vow to God the Father, all Holy and Almighty
to live all the days of my life
in poverty, chastity and obedience
and promise to observe faithfully
the Rule and life of the Friars Minor
confirmed by Pope Honorius
according to the Constitutions
of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor.
so that through the operation of the Holy Spirit,
the example of the Immaculate Virgin Mary,
the intercession of our Father Francis and all the Saints
and with the help of my brothers,
I may attain the perfection of charity
in the service of God, the Church and all people.
