Karnataka's novice no. 15 pronounces vows in Kerala juniorate

On : 2023-09-10

Anvil Mascarenhas of Karnataka province, along with two other novices from Chennai province (Alfwin and Gladwin), pronounced his first vows in the Society of Jesus at Vidyaniketan juniorate, Kerala on September 8, the feast of nativity of Mother Mary. The vows had to be postponed as Anvil had joined the novitiate two months late due to delay in exams. He is the fifteenth novice of Karnataka province pronouncing first vows this year. Incidentally, he is the 15th novice making his first vows this yearl. In June, 10 novices pronounced their vows at Mount St Joseph, Bangalore, and antoher four made their first commitment at XTC novitiate, Belagavi.

The theme of the day was ‘Accencus Amore’ - Being Ignited by Love. The eucharist was presided over by Fr Jabamalai Irudiyaraj SJ, provincial of Chennai province, and concelebrated by Fr John Pradeep, novice director, and Fr John Francis, Superior of Vidyaniketan juniorate.

In his homily, Fr John Pradeep underlined the significance of religious vocation and four types of senses viz. awe, vow, woe and wow. The homily was inspirational, calling the vowents to remain faithful to their vowed life.

Later, the novices pronounced their vows in the presence of Fr Irudiyaraj who received the vows of the novices. Multilingual choir added colour to this religious celebration.  The ceremony concluded with a message from Fr Irudayaraj. Sch Gladwin (till then a novice) expressed words of gratitude on behalf of vowents.

In his messasge, provincial of Karnataka province Fr Dionysius Vaz said that it was indeed a very happy moment. "We should be grateful to God for giving us a huge harvest of 15 novices making their first vows this year, the last being Anvil Mascarenhas. While we thank God, we should gratefully rembember their parents who have been generous, and to the vocation promoters and formators for accompanying them," he said.

- Sch Jeevan Santhosh