Our local SSS Community in Houston, with Father Tom Smithson visiting (far left) from San Antonio.
Others, left to right, Fathers Christian Christopher, Sekar, Lane, Jaime Reyes,
and Anthony Pham to the far right, surrounding Brother Matthew.

We congratulate Brother Matthew Vlastelica SSS for completing his first stage of formation in religious life, completing his novitiate, and professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS) on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the 9:00 AM Eucharist at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Houston, Texas. This day is special to the congregation: it is the solemnity of our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard. For the last two years, Brother Matthew has been under the tutelage of Father Paul Raj Gnanasekar SSS, the Novice Director. The profession of vows culminates the two years of the novitiate.

Brother Matthew joined the SSS through our parish in New York City, Église Saint Jean Baptiste, and this religious community. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, he moved to New York to work as a construction manager, earning his bachelor's degree. Discovering our parish, he was encouraged by the local SSS community, the sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame-Montreal, and the parishioners. His postulancy was then at the SSS provincialate and parish Saint Paschal Baylon, Highland Heights, Ohio (SPB). He also completed six months of his novitiate, January – June 2026, at our SSS community in Liverpool, England, as part of an immersion experience. He will return to SPB to pursue his studies toward the priesthood, with Father Norman Pelletier SSS as his director. He will Zoom with the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, Illinois, and, from time to time, participate in CTU campus events.

 Fathers Lane & Sekar with Brother Matthew

In the seventy-year history of Corpus Christi Church, there has never been the celebration of the rite of religious profession of vows. The excellent choir, other liturgical ministers, Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament, the SSS Houston Community, and Father Sekar provided excellent hospitality. The ritual begins with a renewal of Brother Matthew's and the congregation’s baptismal covenant through the Sprinkling Rite. Then, before the homily, the candidate is presented to the congregation. After the homily, the provincial superior, Father John Thomas Lane SSS, led the ritual with Father Sekar. Brother Matthew read the formula of religious profession from the Rule of Life, received his own copy of it, received the SSS logo necklace cross, and signed the Book of Profession in front of the entire congregation. After communion, Father Sekar and Brother Matthew each spoke a moment of gratitude. (This video is online in the video vocation section of “blessedsacrament.com”)

Also, during the Mass, presided over by the provincial, he gave an anniversary gift to the parish of a tapestry of the USA SSS province’s patron saint, Saint Ann, in thanksgiving for the 39 years the SSS have been present, the inspiration for the icon/tapestry, Father Sekar, and the artist present, Joan Steinman. We pray for Brother Matthew’s continued vocation and education journey with the SSS and for other men to join in our Eucharistic charism and mission.

SSS Grapevine
August 3, 2026