Brothers from the International Novitiate in Tudella return home after several months of waiting

With the opening of international travel in and out of Sri Lanka (South Asia province), the Brothers who have been stranded at Tudella since their profession are now free to return to their homes: – six Vietnamese (since April 2020), three east Timorese and one Vietnamese (since April 2021).

The last two years have posed numerous challenges, which Brothers Rod Thomson (Australia) and Real Sauvageau (Canada) have managed marvelously. The new Novice Master replacing Nick Fernandez, Brother Paco García from MDA, wasn’t able to gain entry to Sri Lanka from Philippines, so the Brothers Rod and Real were the only Formators on site. They had to cope with continuing the formation of two groups of newly professed Brothers and effectively changed the Novitiate into a Scholasticate, arranging in-person and online programs for them.

At the same time, they were called upon to support the Novices and interim Novice Masters who were situated in six different locations around Asia-Pacific. They also needed to work around local lockdowns and Brothers who contracted Covid, always conscious to maintain the harmony and spirits of the community. The Institute is very grateful to Rod and Real for carrying so much. Thanks to Rod and Real.

The new novices will arrive in Sri Lanka in January-February next year.