Simple Profession
August 22nd, 2006 by Father Bill Garrott, OP
On August 15 — Feast of the Assumption –five men professed simple vows as Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph. One of those men was Br. Austin Litke, O.P. What follows is a brief interview with Br. Austin. What was it like in the days leading up to your profession of vows?
It was the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life…
There was kind of an anxious waiting for it to come. But in the days coming up to it, there were no doubts or desires to run away or run back.
How did you feel as you placed your hands in the hands of the Provincial and promised obedience?
It was one of the clearest moments of my life. I knew what I was doing, I felt the gravity of the situation, but at the same time I felt a clear-headed joy of giving your life away.
How has it been in the weeks since you professed vows?
In the weeks since, I’ve moved to Washington, D.C., but also made a trip to my hometown. And so I’ve taken on a new life. Going home and being with family, in places that are very familiar, places that were the largest part of my past life, but being there as someone different, was a great joy. Going home as the son of my parents, but as a professed religous, I was able to see both the continuity and the change that comes with religous profession.
How is life at the House of Studies so far?
In the Novitiate you are in a smaller community with much less going on, and so it is very exciting to be in a much larger community with a full life of the priory and the full academic life that is integral to the House.
What is your favorite part of being a Dominican?
The unity of the life. A life balanced between prayer and study, and community life, all guided toward a preaching apostolate and the salvation of souls. The fact that we have a life with all these elements and a clear goal and teh means to achieve that goal is a great blessing.
Any advice to someone who might be looking at the Order?
If you think that God might be calling you to this, you have to come and see — you have to see and hear Dominicans being Dominicans. Alright.
Thank you Brother Austin.
