Making a life profession
Brother Michael Burroughs OP made his life profession as an Anglican Dominican Friar on Thursday, October 29, 2020. A Profession Mass was celebrated at the Burroughs Residence in St. Louis by Rev. Thomas Albinson, Asst. Rector of The Church of St. Michael and St. George, the parish of Br. Michael and his wife Jan.
Br. Michael’s Life Vows were received on behalf of The Chapter of the Order by Br. Franklin Kline, OP; both friars are members of the Catherine House Priory. The Profession Mass and Vows were streamed via Zoom and a number of members of the Order as well as members within the Diocese of Missouri of Episcopal Religious Orders and Communities.
Br. Michael is one of the earliest members of the Order, having made his Novice Promises at The Chapter Held in 2002 in Montgomery, Alabama. Due to various personal reasons Br. Michael was unable to continue his formation at the time and became an Oblate. He was in a position to complete his formation during the past year. Br. Michael’s Profession is the fulfillment of a long-standing aspiration and the culmination of a long Journey.
The Profession Mass was celebrated in the Burroughs residence as a result of the closing of churches within The Diocese of Missouri due to the coronavirus pandemic, and also because Br. Michael is a full-time caregiver to his beloved wife Jan. The Burroughs were in a automobile accident two years ago in which Jan was seriously injured. Jan, who studied at Oxford University in the U.K. and the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, subsequently suffered a series of strokes which left her seriously impaired; in fact the doctors caring for her did not expect her to survive. The deep faith which Michael and Jan share has brought them through this challenging time.
Michael has written a moving book sharing their experiences in this journey of faith and healing which was just published this past summer. Moving Mountains: Facing Strokes with Faith and Hope was published by Xulon Press, Miami, FL, and is available via Amazon.
The Anglican Order of Preachers (Dominicans) are a Religious Community established under the canons of The Episcopal Church, in the tradition of the Order founded by St. Dominic de Guzman with the motto ”To Praise to Bless, to Preach”, in which ”Preaching” is understood to be proclaiming The Gospel in all ways of word and deed. The Order has members throughout the provinces of The Anglican Communion.
Let us join in prayers for Blessing on Br. Michael’s Dominican Vocation and Ministry.
Thanks to Br. Franklin Kline for providing this story.
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