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Solemn Profession at North Guwahati

A LOT MORE TO LEARN FROM ST. FRANCIS YET! – SOLEMN PROFESSION CELEBRATION AT NORTH GUWAHATI

Br. Marius Dahanga

The solemn profession of Br. Nichol John Pariong and mine (Br. Marius) was held on 8th May at St. Anthony’s Friary, North Guwahati. The celebration began with the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 am. Br. Wilson Paul Nattalil, the President of Foundation, North East, presided over the Eucharist along with the two other diocesan priests and the friars from the Foundation who concelebrated. Our family members, relatives and friends, many religious sisters, parishioners, were present for the celebration. Br. Wilson in his homily said, “The life of St. Francis is an inspiration for all times and all people. St. Francis’ spirituality proceeds from daily experience of human life. He considered every creature as his brothers and sisters, and thus called them to praise God together.” These inspiring words helped us to reflect on my own life: As friars minor, how much have we deepened our life in the spirit of St. Francis? A lot more to learn from St. Francis yet!

Soon after the homily, we announced our willingness and readiness to commit ourselves to the Franciscan way of life perpetually. Once we proclaimed, “Yes, I do”, we both moved to the altar to pledge our final commitment solemnly to live the Gospel way of life in the footprints of St. Francis in obedience, chastity and without anything of our own. As a sign of total surrender, we gave our hands in the hands of Br. Wilson Paul Nattalil as we professed our vows. After the Eucharistic celebration, we cut the festive cake, followed by a felicitation ceremony. The celebration came to an end at 2:00 pm with the delicious fellowship meal.

I thank God along with Br Nichol John for the gift of vocation to be friars minor. We extend our sincere thanks Br. Praveen Henry D’ Souza, the Minister Provincial and the Definitory, Br Wilson Paul, President and his council, all our formators and all the well-wishers who directly or indirectly contributed to our formation journey. In a special manner, we thank the community members of St. Anthony’s Friary, North Guwahati for making all the possible arrangements for the celebration and whose immense effort and hard work made the event a memorable one.

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