Three Men Make First Religious Profession in Belleville

Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Posted on August 7, 2024

By Will Shaw with thanks to Fr. James Allen, OMI

Posing with their formators and the Provincial, we see (top L-R) Alvaro Zapata, Elisha Chisanga, Chandu Ponugumati. (front row L-R) Bro. George Litiya, Fr. Frank Kuczera, Very Rev. Raymond Cook, Fr. Louis Lougen

On August 1st, the birthday of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Oblates, friends and well-wishers gathered at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL to witness Chandu Ponugumati of India, Elisha Chisanga, of Zambia, and Alvaro Zapata from Tijuana, Mexico make their first religious profession as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

*The Provincial calls the young men forth to make their vows*

The Mass was celebrated by the U.S. Oblate Provincial, Very Rev. Raymond Cook, who also received the vows of the three young men. Also present were the Oblate formators from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey: Novice Master, Fr. Frank Kuczera, Fr. Louis Lougen, and Bro. George Litiya. Also on the altar was the Bishop of Belleville, the Most Rev. Michael McGovern.

*Having professed their vows each young man receives an Oblate Cross from Fr. Cook*

At the end of Mass, Fr. Kuczera commented on the past year and thanked all those who were helpful to the novices. Fr. Raymond Cook also expressed his thanks to the staff at the novitiate, Bishop McGovern and all the Oblates and guests in attendance. Everyone was invited to a celebratory luncheon prepared by the culinary staff at King’s House at the Shrine.

Prior to the Mass the young men pose with the Shrine Director and the Bishop. (L-R) Alvaro Zapata, Fr. Salvador Gonzalez, (who will be joining the formation team,) Bishop Michael McGovern, Elisha Chisanga, Chandu Ponugumati

Elisha was born in Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia, in 1995. He is the son of Theresa Mwansa Chisanga and Kabonga Chisanga.

Chandu was born in Kandalmpadu, India, in 1998. His parents are Ramaswamy Ponugumati and Madhavi.

Álvaro comes from south of the US border with Mexico. He was born in Tijuana, BC, Mexico in 1999 to .Bernice Chapa Flores and Rafael Solis

Of the three new Scholastic Brothers, Chandu Ponugumati will return to his native India to continue his studies. Elisha Chisanga and Alvaro Zapata will move on to the Bl. Mario Borzaga Formation Community in San Antonio TX, and will continue their studies at Oblate School of Theology