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ABIDING IN HIS LOVE: THE ENTRY OF THE NOVICES

Br. Jomy Thomas Alathayil

Jesus said, “…. abide in me….” (Jn 15:5). Answering to His divine call and by the grace of God and with the blessings of St. Francis, our Seraphic Father, nine of us brothers entered into the year of novitiate on 30th May 2022. After the break out of Covid-19 Pandemic the entry of novices was consecutively postponed and delayed for two years, but this year we entered on the regular date of entry. We nine postulants arrived at St. Louis Friary, the cradle of our Franciscan life in India on the 14th May 2022. We had just a few days to familiarize ourselves with the novitiate life and disciplines from the seniors, and then we had an anticipated retreat in preparation for the entry from 19th May to 24th May in view of FRISM 2022 to be held on 25th May. Our Retreat was preached by Fr. Ajeesh George a Vincentian priest. The retreat was really enhancing and inspiring for all of us. we all were preparing for a ‘serious commitment’. After the days of retreat, we attended the FRISM ’22 along with all the brothers from different stages of formation from 25th May to 30th May 2022.

The much awaited day of our entry arrived, 30th of May. We were all gathered outside the novitiate door at 06.15 pm waiting to enter the novitiate with our Juniorate Director Fr. Joy Sebastian. When one of us did that ritual knocking at the novitiate door, we were all excited and were filled with joy. Friar Roobandoss, the Guardian greeted us and Friar Minister Provincial sought our intention of entering into Franciscan way of life.

After having been welcomed into the novitiate, we proceeded to the main chapel in procession with the friar students and the friars. The importance of the habit and the rule of St. Francis on admitting candidates to the novitiate were read during the prayer service. Fr. Praveen D’Souza the Minister Provincial gave a short exhortation on the importance of the day for us and how we are to live our life of novitiate. Then we were given the habit of the Order by our Novice Master Br. Charles Arulanandam and the rule of the Order by Br. Wilson Paul, the President of the Foundation. The beautiful choir and the prayer service were conducted by our brothers.

We all were so happy and emotional to see ourselves in the habit of the Poverello of Assisi as it was one of the most memorable moments of each one of our lives. We thank Lord for His abounding love and grace for the gift of vocation to the Order of Friars Minor. we also thank the Minister General for his wishing and prayers. We gratefully remember the Minister provincial and his Council for admitting us into the year of novitiate and all the friars who were present for the ceremony and all our senior brothers for their wishes and prayers. Also, we thank all those who supported us through their prayers. We request your continual prayers for us as we started a new way of life to abide with Him and in Him.

 

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