Four men profess final vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross
By professing final vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, four men—Rev. Mr. Andrew Fritz, C.S.C.; Rev. Mr. John Sebastian Gutierrez, C.S.C.; Br. James Henke, C.S.C.; and Br. James Walters, C.S.C.—committed themselves to the lifelong service of Christ and His Church in the Congregation of Holy Cross.
These two seminarians and two brothers respectively made their professions in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Saturday August 27. The following day, Fritz and Gutierrez were also ordained to the diaconate by the Most Reverend William A. Wack, C.S.C., Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee in a liturgy at Moreau Seminary.
Br. James Henke, C.S.C., Br. James Walters, C.S.C., and Deacon Fritz all attended the Congregation of the Holy Cross’s undergraduate pre-seminary, Old College. Br. Henke graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology before ministering in Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Bangladesh, and South Bend. He is now headed to King’s College, a Holy Cross university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he will work in campus ministry.
As an Old Collegian, Br. James Walters volunteered around the globe. Starting as a catechist on campus at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, Br. Walters later traveled to Uganda to teach English. Before graduating from Holy Cross College with a degree in theology in 2017, he also volunteered in the U.K. at St. Patrick’s Parish, London. Br. Walters now returns to North Easton, MA where he will continue in his role as Campus Minister for Retreats and Faith Formation at Stonehill College.
Deacon Andrew Fritz graduated from Notre Dame in 2016 with degrees in anthropology and philosophy. While at Old College, he taught elementary school religious education and served the poor and homeless both in South Bend and abroad. After functioning as the Associate Director of Old College from 2019–2020, Deacon Fritz completed his pastoral year at St. John Vianney Parish in Goodyear, Arizona. He now returns to St. John Vianney where he will serve as deacon for the parish.
Deacon John Sebastian Gutierrez graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas in 2015 with a degree in communication arts. After college, he joined the Congregation of the Holy Cross and volunteered across the United States. Most recently, Deacon Gutierrez served as an assistant hall director at Holy Cross College. He will now spend his diaconate year at St. Ignatius Martyr Church in Austin, Texas.
In his homily at the Saturday liturgy, Provincial Superior of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers Rev. William L. Lies, C.S.C. noted the great sacrifice these men made in taking final vows. Speaking directly to his brothers in Holy Cross, Fr. Lies said, “your vocation is the path by which you will die with Christ … it is the path on which we set off to lose our life in the love of Christ.” The Rover joins Fr. Lies, the Congregation of Holy Cross, and the whole Church in expressing our congratulations and thanks to Deacon Fritz, Deacon Gutierrez, Br. Henke, and Br. Walters for their great sacrifice for the love of Christ.
Paul Howard is a Junior in Medieval Studies from upstate New York. On the suggestion of a family friend, he intends on opening a “medieval studies store” after graduation. If you have suggestions on what he might sell in his shop, he can be contacted at phoward2@nd.edu.
Photo: https://unsplash.com/photos/Bp5Y9ywLT24
