First professions at the Tudella Novitiate

On March 8, four novices made their first profession in Tudella, Sri Lanka. The new brothers are: Shuvo, from Bangladesh, Vinh, from Vietnam, belonging to the Marist District of Asia; Bomes from Papua New Guinea, belonging to the Province of Star of the Sea; and Prathap from Sri Lanka, from the Province of South Asia. Brothers Peter Carroll and Nicholas Fernando, Provincials, and Brother Canisio, Superior of the Marist District of Asia, received their vows on behalf of Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General. Brother Francisco García, Master of Novices, facilitated and commented on the different parts of the celebration. He also provided the necessary documentation for the Profession of Vows. The celebration was presided over by Father Joseph Chaminda TOR and Father Charuka OMI.

As part of the Rite of First Profession Br Carrol invited them to respond to the question “What do you ask of God and the Church”? Bomes, Prathap, Vinh and Shuvo replied as one with four statements: “I ask God’s blessing as I commit myself ‘to follow Christ as Mary did in His life of love for the Father and all people’. I seek to live a life of radical witness to the Gospel, living as ‘brothers of Jesus Christ, brothers to one another and brothers to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need’. I wish to be a disciple of St Marcellin Champagnat, sharing in his charism. I ask God and the Church that I may put my life and talents at the service of His people in every Diocese within our scope, by professing my vows in the Institute of the Little Brothers of Mary.”

Novitiate of Tudella

During these months, important changes are taking place in the personnel of the novitiate community. The community said goodbye to Br. Rod Thomson, who has completed his eight and a half years of commitment to the novitiate. He has contributed with his skills and inexhaustible energy in all aspects of the novitiate.

The brothers also said goodbye to Br. Francisco García (Kikko), after four years as Master of Novices. Brother Kikko will replace Brother Canisio Willrich as Leader of the Marist District of Asia during the District Chapter to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 24-25, 2025. In the meantime, Brother Juan Castro will replace him as Master of Novices, starting on April 1.

On the other hand, Br. Luke Fong was officially received as a member of the Novitiate. Luke has adapted well and is already well appreciated by the novices. In addition, for the last six months the novitiate has been joined by Br. Donatus, a member of the Marist District of Asia, belonging to the Province of Nigeria.