As I reflect on Oblate Deacon Matthew Trovato's perpetual profession, I remain deeply moved.
Saturday, July 11, 2026, was Matt’s perpetual profession. I sat (on my walker) at Our Lady of Lourdes in Toledo, OH, and heard Matt pray (not read, but pray) our vow formula.
He said:
For the love of God, and moved by a firm resolve to consecrate myself more fully to Him and to follow Christ more closely in my whole life, here and now, with you my brothers as witnesses and in your presence Very Rev. Joseph Newman, Provincial Superior, I, Matthew Trovato, vow for life, chastity, poverty, and obedience according to the Constitutions of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. I give myself with my whole heart to this religious family, so that, by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I may seek perfect charity in the service of God and the Church.
I thought to myself I too prayed that formula some 60 years ago. Sixty years of giving myself with my whole heart to this religious family. That‘s a long time. How do you, how do I, stay in the love of God for so long a time?
Well, the secret is, it is not easy. I wanted to scream: “Matt, are you sure you want to do this? Falling in love is not an easy thing to do.”
I think Neil Sedaka sang something like that years ago. Falling in love and staying in love means staying when the majority have left. Falling in love means forgiving the hurt inflicted on you and, even harder, forgiving yourself for the hurt you have laid on others. Falling in love means each day giving until it hurts, until you need a walker.
Many years ago, a young man who thought he would spend his life with us became disillusioned, and for good reason, and I said to him: “You cannot stay any longer until you fall in love with the wart on the end of the nose of the community.” He couldn’t, and so he left.
But when you can give yourself with your whole heart to anyone, to anything, an incredible thing happens. Each day it becomes harder and harder to see the dark, bathed so fully in the warmth and light.
So, safe journey, Matt. I’ll long be gone one day when you are sitting on the side watching someone like you make this daring move. Pray for him and others on their formation journey, as I do for you. Thank you, Matt, for taking such a risk, for giving yourself with your whole heart to us so that by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you may seek perfect charity in the service of God and the Church.
P.S. Sixty years is not that long once you get over the first fifty-nine!!
After his final profession on July 11, Matt was ordained a deacon on September 26 at Our Mother of Consolation Parish (OMC) in Philadelphia, PA. He is currently in his diaconal internship at OMC until his priesthood ordination in the spring.
Fr. David Whalen, OSFS
St. Pius X Parish
Toledo, OH
