The Challenge and Relevance of the Vow of Obedience Today: Reflection on Spirituality Based on Constitution of the OSF Reute Sibolga Congregation

Vows are promises or vows made by religious as a form of loyalty to God. Religious vow the three gospel counsels of obedience, chastity and poverty. Vows are an important part to be lived by religious. The vow of obedience is one of the three gospel counsels. The vow of obedience is a form of total surrender to God by committing oneself fully to God in a congregation. The vow of obedience is lived by religious with the aim that the religious can be faithful and have a firm commitment to follow God's will freely and responsibly. The vow of obedience is realized in mission, in communal life, and in service to the universal Church. The vow of obedience is not always easy to realize today because of the changing times and the instantaneous and individual lifestyle of religious. The vow of obedience needs to be revisited to find newness, especially within each religious and in his/her appreciation in the work of service and fraternity. In the end, the vow of obedience is still very relevant today and becomes a strength for religious in living out their vocation and mission. Religious today are expected to be humble and faithfull.