On Saturday, September 5, Br. Fabrizio Szymanski, SA, and Br. Yasser Zamora, SA, took a great step in their religious vocations, making their final profession of vows as Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. In the days following this joyful celebration, each will reflect on this important moment in their journey of faith and religious life. Here, we will share Br. Fabrizio’s reflection, as he explains what it means to make a lifelong commitment to God and to the Franciscan spirit of At- One-Ment.

By Br. Fabrizio Szymanski, SA

There are moments in life when time seems to stand still, making space solely for the infinite grace of God. On September 5th, in the marvelous setting of the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi, Bro. Yasser and I professed our perpetual vows, choosing to permanently consecrate our lives to the Lord within our Religious Institute.

Now, a few days later, the overwhelming feeling in my heart is one of profound and immense gratitude. It is so easy to say “thank you” on a day of celebration; but as I walked in procession toward the altar, I carried in my heart every single face encountered throughout my life. Looking out at the congregation and reflecting on all those connected in spirit, I realized that everyone – consecrated and lay, present and absent, near and far, persons known for a lifetime or just a short season – forms a unique and precious tile in the mosaic of my existence. Consciously or unconsciously, each person has helped shape my definitive “Here I am!” (“Eccomi!”) to the Lord.

Too often, at the end of our days, we tend to highlight sad news, shadows, or moments of anger and suffering, forgetting to celebrate and cherish the invaluable gems that surround us.

What we experienced in Assisi was a true spiritual gem: a deeply moving, solemn, and beautiful liturgy that engaged everyone present in a deep atmosphere of prayer and joy. Beyond the flawless liturgical celebration, able to outwardly express the inner spirit that accompanied the moment, I was sincerely overwhelmed by an incredible outpouring of love and affection from hundreds of people – concelebrating priests, religious brothers and sisters, dear friends, and family – as well as the quiet closeness of our global Atonement fraternity. Even in times when saying “yes” was not immediately easy, God was silently working through all these relationships and moments of grace to bring forth wonderful, sometimes unexpected, fruit.

This perpetual profession is by no means the finish line of a journey, but rather the true beginning of something new. Only now am I starting to grasp what it genuinely means to give myself completely and to love by embracing everyone in the Eternal. I realize that this response to God’s immense call must be confirmed and shaped anew every single day.

This deep desire to serve is what I humbly strive to bring into my daily life – whether through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, hands-on charity with the local community in Assisi (such as at the Caritas Food Bank and the Cathedral parish), or serving the broader Franciscan family (IFC-TOR) in JPIC and the Franciscan 800th Anniversaries Committees. These are not badges or titles, but simple, everyday opportunities to live out our At-One-Ment charism as tangible instruments of peace, unity, and reconciliation.

I am endlessly grateful to the Lord, who performs wonders in our lives through His extravagant and wondrous wisdom – calling us to accomplish great things not through our own merits, but through His grace, that takes root in the authentic openness of our hearts.

To my brothers and sisters across the world, and to everybody who has been walking beside me: thank you for the privilege of your presence, your prayers, and your genuine affection. May we continue to tread together toward ever greater things, for the greater glory of God.