14 YOUNG AFRICANS CAST THEIR LOT WITH THE MARIST BROTHERS

On June 19th eight Marist Brothers ? seven from Nigeria and one from Cameroon ? made their first vows at the international novitiate in Kumasi, Ghana, a joint formation center for the Marist Province of Nigeria and the District of West Africa. Four more young men ? on each from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Nigeria ? are preparing to make their first vows next year.

It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony. As customary, it was presided over by the local bishop, many priests, just about all the city?s religious communities, and many friends and acquaintances from the neighborhood and the parish. Many in attendance wore traditional dress with dazzling colors. An authentic African festival, filled with ritual, music and pageantry that was followed by a meal for all the guests.

The following day, June 20th, six Marist Brothers ? five from the Democratic Republic of Congo and one from the Central African Republic ? made their first vows in the Province of East Central Africa. In spite of difficult social and political conditions at times, these young men are not thwarted from listening to the Lord?s Word and His call in their lives and responding to that call with great generosity. Marcellin?s charism is more alive than ever in the hearts of the young.