News & Events

Simple Profession of Novices: First Step on the path of Franciscan Journey begins

Novitiate, as people say, was the honeymoon period of our Franciscan life. It gave us the taste of religious life, where we as novices received love, care, affection, guidance and correction from our elder brothers to become a good Human, Christian and all the more a Franciscan to serve God’s people. We began to love and live the life that we aspired to embrace. For us, the novitiate was a journey. A journey with the master!

As we look back, we see the journey that we began on 11th July 2020 in Madurai when Friar Charles A., our Novice Master arrived. After a few months of stay we travelled a long distance, as the locked down ended, from Madurai to Palamaner. The novitiate was not only a mere trip outside but a journey within where we had gone deeper into our very being in silence and solitude, prayer and meditation to see the beauty of life and to discern to move forward in the Franciscan life.

During our Novitiate we prepared ourselves for this important day of our simple profession. Our final and intensive preparation began with retreat which was animated by Friar Rajsekhar Gopu on the theme – “Determined to finish well”. He reminded us to have the imagery of finishing line before the eyes as we begin the religious life.

28th June 2021 was the day we all awaited. The new novices with guidance of Guardian and community made all arrangements for the profession. The solemn Mass began at 11 a.m., presided over by Friar Anthony Roobandoss, Guardian of the community. During homily, Fr. Guardian placed before us St. Joseph as the perfect model and inspiration for vowed way of life. After the homily, 10 novices made their profession in the hands of Friar Anthony Roobandoss who was delegated by the Provincial Minister to receive the profession of the candidates. The liturgy was rich with beautiful choir and awesome decoration. The glorious voice that resounded in the chapel, brought the heavenly experience in the hearts of everyone.

We gathered after the Mass in the refectory where Friar Guardian welcomed us to the brotherhood and wished us peace and perseverance. We remembered and thanked all who helped us in the journey of novitiate--friars of the community, spiritual director, confessor, domestic staff and all the well-wishers. We shared our joy with our brothers at the grand table with the sumptuous meal arranged by Friar Samson.

With a hymn of gratitude, we praise God the Most High for his call and guidance. We thankfully remember our Minister General Friar Michael Perry for his wishes and prayers. We are grateful to Our Provincial, Friar Praveen H. D’Souza and his team for their support, Fr. Charles our novice master who walked with us and showed us the right ways of religious life. We thank all the friars and benefactors for their prayers and support.

Bob Marley said once, “in order to live the life we love, we need to love the life we live.” The aspired life is not a far reality now. It becomes the part and parcel of our being. Yes! Here the life begins. A life to love and to live … we have left for Peravoor on 29th June 2021 to begin our philosophical studies.

Br. Gins Joseph and Br. Kishor Joseph

Back