Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Fr. John Brown, S.J., Professes Final Vows at the Last All-School Mass

Posted May 8, 2019 / Last updated April 9, 2020

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Fr. John Brown, S.J. takes his final vows in order to be fully incorporated into the Society of Jesus.

Fr. John Brown, S.J., is now a fully professed Jesuit! On Wednesday, May 8, at the all-school Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, Fr. Brown professed his final vows, which are solemn and perpetual vows in the Society of Jesus.

View the Photo Gallery of the Vow Mass

View the Video of Fr. John Brown Professing Final Vows

View the Video of Fr. Brown Explaining Final Vows

The provincial of the U.S. Central and Southern Province, Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J., was on hand to serve as the principal celebrant and to receive the vows on behalf of the superior general of the Jesuits. Join the Jesuits of the local community were Fr. Paul Deutsch, S.J., (Jesuit Tampa) and Fr. Michael Wegenka, S.J., (Grand Coteau). 

The priests pray the epiclesis during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Final vows mark the full incorporation of a man into the Society of Jesus. Fr. Brown, like all Jesuits, took simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience at the beginning of his time as a Jesuit. Following a 13 year period of probation, which included ordination to the priesthood, he was invited to complete the last stage of Jesuit formation, tertianship, in Dublin, Ireland and Iraq. As Fr. Mercier remarked to the student body, the reception of final vows means that the Jesuits are willing to “entrust the Society of Jesus” to a man as representing the ideals and virtues the Jesuits espouse.

Fr. Brown has served Jesuit High School since 2012, excluding one year in which he completed tertianship. He is currently the superior of the Jesuit community that serves Jesuit and the Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church on Baronne St. He also serves in the advancement office as a major gifts officer and teaches an art elective class. Previously he has served in campus ministry and the theology and modern foreign languages departments at Jesuit.

The Jesuit High School community thanks Fr. Brown for his many years of dedicated service and wishes him well as he dedicates his life in even greater service to the people of God.

Galleries

Fr. Brown Vow Mass, May 8, 2019

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    Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J.; Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J.; and Fr. John Brown, S.J.
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    Fr. John Brown, S.J. gives the homily at the last all-school mass of the year.
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    The presentation of the gifts.
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    Fr. Dyer and Fr. Mercier prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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    Fr. John Brown, S.J. takes his final vows in order to be fully incorporated into the Society of Jesus.
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    The provincial of the U.S. Central and Southern Province, Fr. Ron Mercier, S.J., receives Fr. Brown's vows on behalf of the superior general of the Jesuits.
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    In addition the Fr. Mercier, other Jesuits are present to witness Fr. Brown's vows.
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    Fr. Mercier elevates the chalice after the moment of consecration.
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    The priests pray the epiclesis during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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    Students prepare to receive communion.
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    Freshman Kody Nguy receives communion from Fr. Paul Shaughnessy, S.J.
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    Fr. John Brown, S.J. with his mother, Judy Brown.
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    Fr. John Brown, S.J. with his family who came to witness his final vows.