?Mary, light for those who seek Jesus?
On the 2nd February in the context of the liturgical feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple as light and prophet of the nations, and also in communion with the journey of religious life, we experienced a day full of life and joy in the community of the Interprovincial Novitiate of ?La Valla? in Medellin for the generous yes of eight young men who generously opened the doors of their heart to live the experience of the Novitiate from their cultural and Provincial diversity.
The young men belong to three Marist Provinces and are from five different nationalities: Renault Sindor, Haitian (Canada-Haiti); Carlos Alvarado, Guatemalan and Rafaël Sandoval, Salvadorian (América Central); José Manuel Burmes, Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Gaviria, Marin Muñoz, Nicolás Arteaga and Orlando Muñoz, Colombian (Norandina) presented themselves to welcome into their life the project of consolidation and of discernment of the vocation to become ?Little Brothers of Mary?.
The celebration, during the Eucharist, was full of expressions of faith and of gestures; such as the presentation of the Constitutions and the signature in the book of the Novitiate.
During this celebration we were accompanied by the fraternal presence of Brothers Laurentino Albalá and César Rojas, Provincial and Vice-Provincial of the Province of Norandina. It was they who invited us to ?burn one?s boats? and ?to fully live this stage as a unique experience? in the life of every brother.
This pathway which these young men are starting today is illuminated by the memory of the entry into the Novitiate of Brother Stanislaus, ?Pearl of the Institute?, and who ?was at every moment a faithful imitator of virtues, lived in his spirit and succeeding in being the faithful copy of the Founder??
These young men wanted to confide the journey of their vocation to the Good Mother under the invocation of ?Mary, light for those who seek Jesus?. May she accompany their steps, may she illuminate their life and help them to persevere always.