Johan Chon makes his Commitments of Full Apostolic Availability in Ecuador
Last Sunday, September 8th, on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chapel of the Santo Domingo School in Guayaquil (Ecuador) was the place where the Mass of the Commitments of Full Apostolic Availability (PDA) of our Ecuadorian brother Johan Chon Torvela was celebrated.
Johan Chon with Sodalites and family members.
The ceremony brought together family members, Sodalits, close friends, and members of our spiritual family. The celebration was presided over by Fr. Marcello Carrillo, General Assistant for Spirituality, and Johan’s commitments were received by our Superior General, José David Correa, who was accompanied by other members of the Superior Council, such as Juan Carlos Tuppia and Carlos Muñoz.
The Eucharist was especially moving for Johan, who was accompanied by his parents, Carlos Chon and Heli Torvela, as well as other relatives, friends and Sodalit brothers. “The Mass was an incredible experience!” he said, highlighting the beauty of the liturgy and the profound meaning of making his commitments in the presence of his loved ones.
Mass at the Chapel of the Santo Domingo School in Guayaquil.
“When I made my commitments, I felt accompanied not only by all those who were present but also by the Lord himself and by my Mother Mary on the day of her feast, as if they were at my side, supporting me in the step I was taking, in that let it be done, for the days of life that the Almighty grants me,” he shared.
“The apostolate is to accompany the Lord”
Johan shared with us that, in preparing to make his perpetual commitments, he was reflecting on God’s call to take this step: “Simply because I realized that the Lord who calls me to this full apostolic availability does not call me to do the apostolate as if I were the reference, but rather invites me to accompany Him, who is the one sent by the Father. The apostolate is to accompany the Lord in his mission of reconciling people.”
Fr. Marcello Carrillo during his homily.
A commitment sustained by Mary
The message of the homily also resonated with Johan, who stressed that the Lord takes into account our fragility. “The Father takes into account our fragility, he knows that we are sinners, so much so that in the genealogy of Christ there are a series of sinners, and the Lord knows how to guide history, taking into account even our faults.”
Johan’s act of dedication is not only focused on the apostolate, but also on his spiritual life, where he finds in Mary a fundamental support. Father Marcelo told me: “I should trust in the mercy of Mary and be supported by Him because nothing is impossible for God”.
Johan Chon during a moment of the Mass.
Apostolate and vocation
Johan currently lives in Rome, where he studies and accompanies young people in their Christian life, on pilgrimages and providing personal accompaniment, in addition to his service in the community. “Service begins at home, my father used to say,” Johan recalled.
The priesthood holds a special place in his heart. “It is a call to participate in the Altar, an intense attraction towards the Eucharist which is Christ truly present among us.”
An invitation to other young people
For those young people who feel vocational concerns, Johan shared a message of trust in God. “The first step is to always have confidence in Jesus Christ who loves us and wants to love us more,” he advised, encouraging young people to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit and walk hand in hand with Mary.