Conforming to Christ — Brothers Enrique and Jeffery Make Their Solemn Profession

Carmelite brothers, Enrique Varela Nungaray, O.Carm., and Jeffery Smialek, O.Carm., professed Solemn Vows (final vows) at Whitefriars Hall, the Carmelite House of Formation in Washington, DC. Then Provincial John Russell, O.Carm., presided at the profession and Mass on Sunday, May 8th. Father Russell reminded the newly professed that even though their period of “initial formation” was over, their period of formation in Christ—“to conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29)”—is life-long.

	Brother Enrique (left) and Brother Jeffery prepare to state their vows.

Brother Enrique, age 38, was born and raised in Tijuana, in Mexico. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Guadalajara in education. He then entered the Carmelite Order in 1998 and professed Simple Vows (First Vows) in June of 2000. From there he served his internship at Joliet Catholic Academy in Joliet, Illinois, and Saint Raphael’s Parish in Los Angeles, California. On Sunday, June 5th, he was ordained to the diaconate and plans to be ordained to the priesthood next summer.

Brother Jeffery, age 30, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is a ’93 graduate of Mount Carmel High School and a graduate of the University of Illinois with double major in history and geography, and Chicago State University with a Master’s degree in geography. From there he entered the Carmelite Order in 1999 and professed his Simple Vows in June of 2001. He did his internship at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona. He plans to be ordained to the diaconate next summer.