First religious profession

The Novitiate, Mary Mother of the Church, at Campinas/SP, Brazil, the brothers and laypeople of the Province of Brasil Centro-Sul, celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on the 8th December 2005 with joy, enthusiasm and happiness. Two novices, Edílson Luís Leorato and Sandro Miguel Prandi, pronounced their first vows in the presence of Brother Provincial, during a Eucharist celebrated in the parish church of Santa Cruz where the Novitiate is situated.
About 280 people participated in the beautiful and solemn eucharistic celebration: parents, about thirty confrères from the Province, young people in formation, novices from other congregations, friends and young people from the vocations ministry. A fraternal meal was celebrated afterwards in the Our Lady of Medianeira Institute, close to the Novitiate, in an artistic ambiance and with a tastefully chosen menu.
The event aroused sentiments of gratitude in the hearts of those present; it recalled memories and refreshed the love felt by those who had consecrated themselves at their own first profession in the past; it revived the faith and confidence of all in the love of God who calls each person; it encouraged a church climate favourable to vocations. We pray God, by the intercession of Mary Immaculate, patroness of the Archdiocese of Campinas, for the fidelity of these two young brothers. May their action indicate to others how to follow Christ according to the Marist charism and the radical character of their baptism!