Profession of Final Vows – August 15, 2026

The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius joyfully announce that Brother Marko Culjak, SJC and Brother Joshua Smerker, SJC have been approved by the Superior General and his Council to make their Profession of Final Vows.

This solemn milestone marks the definitive gift of their lives to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Their perpetual profession is a joyful witness to Christ's faithful love and a sign of hope for the Church.

The faithful are warmly invited to join us for this sacred celebration:

Vespers & the Profession of Final Vows

Saturday, August 15

3:45 p.m.

St. John Cantius Church

825 N. Carpenter Street

Chicago, Illinois

We ask all our friends, benefactors, parishioners, and supporters to keep Brother Marko and Brother Joshua in your prayers as they make this lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church. May Our Lady of the Assumption obtain for them the grace of joyful perseverance and faithful service throughout their lives.

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Brother Marko Culjak, SJC

Brother Marko Culjak grew up in Skokie, Illinois, where he attended Northridge Preparatory School. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and worked at Ernst & Young before discerning a call to the priesthood and religious life. He enjoys sports, reading, and movies.

As he prepares to profess Final Vows, Brother Marko describes this moment as his lifelong "yes" to Christ. "Making Final Vows is my lifelong 'yes' to Christ and the day I give myself to Him completely through poverty, chastity, and obedience. It is the greatest gift God has given me and the beginning of belonging entirely to Him for the rest of my life."

Reflecting on his vocation, he says, "I've often reflected about how Jesus completely gave Himself for us and how I've always wanted to do the same for Him." He is especially grateful that God is calling him in a twofold way through solemn profession as a religious and, God willing, the priesthood. Looking back on formation, he is thankful for the friendships, community life, and liturgical formation that have helped him grow closer to Christ. Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus has been central to his vocation, along with inspiration from St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. John Cantius.

Brother Marko asks the faithful to pray that he may remain faithful to his vocation, grow in humility and charity, and "never lose sight of the joy of belonging completely to Christ."

Brother Joshua Smerker, SJC

Brother Joshua Smerker grew up in Helena, Montana, and attended Jefferson High School in Boulder, Montana. He entered the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius directly after high school after discerning a call to religious life. Prior to entering the community, he worked in a nursing home. He enjoys fishing, antiquing, and skiing.

Brother Joshua traces the beginnings of his vocation to his conversion to the Catholic faith during high school. "When I was a freshman in high school, I entered the Catholic Church and fell in love with the rich beauty and history of the Church." After learning about the Canons Regular and their charism of restoring the sacred, he visited the community and felt called to join in that mission.

As he prepares for Final Vows, Brother Joshua reflects on the significance of this lifelong commitment: "Final Vows are one of the most significant moments in the life of a religious because they establish a permanent covenant with Christ through the evangelical counsels." He adds, "My Final Vows are the moment when I bind myself to Christ and to this community for the rest of my life. Everything that follows in my ministry will flow from that gift of self."

For Brother Joshua, perpetual profession is a reminder that true fulfillment is found in total surrender to God. "I hope it reminds others that true joy is found not in keeping our lives for ourselves but in giving them completely to God."