Saturday, August 31, was a day of great joy for the United States Province of Priests and Brothers as four of its seminarians and one of its brothers in formation made their Final Professions in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Fr. William M. Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the United States Province, presided, preached, and received the vows of Mr. Richard Charles Bevington III, C.S.C., Mr. Noah Malloy Junge, C.S.C., Br. Robert McFadden, C.S.C., Mr. Aaron Richard Morris, C.S.C., and Mr. David Christopher Murray, C.S.C.

The Holy Cross community, along with the friends, family, and guests of the five religious, had gathered the night before for Lucernarium, a candlelit prayer service. Due to the recently begun renovations at Moreau Seminary, Lucernarium was held in the Basilica. Fr. Jim Foster, C.S.C., was chosen by the five to preside and preach.

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The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was filled Saturday afternoon for the Final Profession Mass. It was a beautiful summer day on campus, and the Holy Cross community formed its customary semicircle outside the Basilica to receive and congratulate the five religious.

There was a reception in the Main Building for all those who attended the Mass. Later that evening there was a celebratory dinner at South Dining on campus all for the Holy Cross community, families, and invited guests of the newly finally professed.

The following day, Sunday, September 1, in the afternoon, many of the same people gathered again in the Basilica to participate in the Deaconate Ordination of the four seminarians: Richard, Noah, Aaron, and David. The Most Rev. Patrick Neary, C.S.C., Bishop of St. Cloud, Minnesota, as the ordaining bishop. A reception followed in the Carole Sander Hall.

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Deacon Richard Charles Bevington III, C.S.C., comes from Delmont, Pennsylvania, and made First Profession of Vows on August 1, 2020. Richard is bright, talented, and thrives on challenges. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master’s Degree in Education from Havard University. Richard speaks English and Spanish and can read Latin. He attributes his desire to be a priest in Holy Cross to the great pastoral zeal God has given him. Richard “deeply desires for all people to know God’s love to God’s people faithfully and courageously”. As a deacon, he is working at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Deacon Noah Malloy Junge, C.S.C., hails from Leonardtown, Maryland. He made First Profession on August 1, 2020. Noah has worked with the homeless, served as Assistant Director of the Old College Undergraduate Seminary Program, and worked with the chaplaincy department in a hospital. He spent a summer living and working with the community in Peru. Noah finds Blessed Basile Moreau’s love of the Cross, and the commitment of Holy Cross religious to stand beside Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, at the foot of the Cross to be an inspiration of his spirituality. He is giving his diaconal service at Holy Cross Parish in South Bend, Indiana.

Br. Robert McFadden, C.S.C., is a native of Columbus, Ohio. On August 1, 2020, he committed himself to living the religious life by professing First Vows. Robert believes that regular spiritual exercises are necessary for building up a close relationship with God. He believes that a religious brother helps to bring God’s love to the people by bringing joy and smiles to them. Robert studied for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Cincinnati and a Master in Theological Studies at the University of Vanderbilt. He earned a Ph.D. in Literature in 2018 at the University of Notre Dame. He will continue teaching at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana, following his Final Profession.

Deacon Aaron Richard Morris, C.S.C., was born in Ashland, Oregon. He consecrated himself to God by making First Vows on August 1, 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Portland. Aaron writes, “With the cross as our hope, I can’t imagine a moment of my life devoid of meaning.” Aaron worked at the Women’s Care Center, was a Catechist at St. Adalbert’s Parish, served as Assistant Rector in Pangborn Hall, and spent a summer in Lima, Peru. A man of faith, he has worked at applying his theological studies to his pastoral work.

Deacon David Christopher Murray, C.S.C., is from Bloomington, Illinois. He made his First Profession on August 1, 2020. He is a very generous and selfless individual, who is joyful and serene in his service. David has a Bachelor of Science and holds a Master of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Notre Dame. His teaching and preaching demonstrate a gift and a desire to translate faith for others. He has served as Assistant Rector of Keough Hall and has been engaged in a marriage preparatory program at St. Pius X Parish in Granger, Indiana. As a deacon, he is working as Rector of Keough Hall at the University of Notre Dame.