As the initiation ceremony began, the ten postulants were led to the altar, carrying a sapling each. As Sr. Subha, the Novice Directress called each one by name, she responded, “Lord, I want to grow in your love.” While conducting the prayer service, Sr. Shubha said, “Our vocation is a call to discipleship. A disciple is a learner, who believes in Jesus, listens to Him and follows Him. In short, it is a life of renunciation and self-surrender.” She added further that the Lord is calling each one to come and experience Him intimately. This is the purpose of having the Novitiate Formation.
The Gospel of St. John 15:1-8 was read and every word in it was explained for deeper understanding. While addressing the novices, Sr. Ophelia, the Provincial of Nirmala Province further emphasized ‘the Vine and the Branches’, summarizing it with three things:
- First and foremost, there should be a life-giving connection – a mutual connection like that of the Vine and the Branch.
- Second, dependence – the branch depends on the Vine from the sap flows to the branch.
- Third, continuance – a life of consistency even in times of pruning, which will allow one to bear more fruit.
As the novices were handed over to the Novice Directress, they were given the cross and chain, the Constitution and the Original Document each by Srs. Annies, Opehlia, and Prabha, the Provincial Superiors of Pachmarhi, Nirmala and Tanmaya Provinces respectively.
After the solemn ceremony, the assembly gathered in the Novitiate dining hall to felicitate the new novices.
S. Laveena D’Souza