?Take in the beauty,? Br Stefano tells participants
Nearly 300 people gathered for the final vows of Brother Stefano Divina in Giugliano, Italy, on Dec. 8, coinciding with the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Teachers, family members, friends and Marist Brothers of the Mediterranea province and several other provinces took part in the Eucharistic celebration in the chapel of the Instituto Maristi, which was presided by Father Bartolo Puca.
Other participants included members of the two lay Marist fraternities of Giugliano, youth from the Gruppi di Vita Cristiana, sisters and priests.
The provincial superior, Brother Juan Carlos Fuentes, received the vows on behalf of the superior general.
“Thank you for supporting me with your prayers and your affection in this important moment of my life,” Br Stefano told the participants.
“This Mass is a time of celebration and thanksgiving to the Lord for the gift of life and for the Marist vocation,” added the 38-year-old. “It is a rich celebration of symbols that I invite you to experience and to take in the beauty that they contain.”
General councillor Brother Antonio Ramalho, who took part on behalf of the general administration, described the event as one “with a life-giving and joyful atmosphere.”