March 2010
SHM Novitiate
24th of February 2010
First Religious Profession
of
Iranete, Joyce, Feliciana and Celma |
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Text adapted from Sister Pat Connor's reflection
for the newsletter of the Western American Province
The First Religious Profession took place Wednesday evening, the 24th of February,
in the SCM Colégio in Belo Horizonte.
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A Brazilian Jesuit, Fr. Donizetti, presided at the special Eucharistic Celebration along with an American Jesuit, Fr. David, from Louisiana who has lived in Belo Horizonte for twenty years. |
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The recently received Novices
led the Entrance Procession
with a beautiful dance. |
They also performed
a very prayerful penitential rite
with gestures. |
Joan Treacy read
the First Reading
from Romans 12:1-13
and
Maria de Lourdes Machado
read the Second Reading
from a letter
of Father Gailhac. |
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Iranete and Feliciana
sang beautifully
the Responsorial Song
(Psalm 23). |
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After the Gospel (Matthew 11: 25-30) Catherine Gough called each novice forward. Each one responded, "Here I am, Lord".
A dialogue followed between Fr. Donizetti and each one. Each novice requested to make First Profession. |
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Terezinha then asked Catherine Gough, as Directress of the Novitiate, if each one had entered fully into the life and objectives of the Novitiate. Catherine responded that the Formation Team have seen that they have generously responded to their call to Religious Life within our community and have fully entered into the life and objectives of the Novitiate
Then, Fr. Donizetti and Fr. David each gave a brief homily, in Portuguese and in English. |
The Rite of Religious Profession followed the homily.
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| Each one received a lighted candle before professing her vows. |
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After each one’s Profession of Vows, Terezinha accepted her Profession in the name of the Church and for the Institute. |
Each one then came forward to the altar to sign her commitment. |
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Father Donizetti then blessed the crosses the First Professed would receive and Terezinha fastened the Cross inscribed with our call “Ut Vitam Habeant” on each one. |
The RSHM Community responded, rejoicing in the First Professed's commitment and promising our support to help the newly professed in their commitment in the Institute.
The Magnificat was then sung by all. |
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The Eucharistic Liturgy followed with beautiful singing and liturgical dancing.
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Before the Final Benediction, all the RSHM joined in singing the Hymn of the Institute, composed by Maria do Céu Quinteiro, RSCM.
The Sign of Peace concluded this memorable First Profession Ceremony with everyone embracing the First Professed and each other. |
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It was wonderful to see the hugs of the First Professed and novices with so many of our older sisters.
All the novices were overjoyed.
Rosa Armanda also started the Apostolic Year of Novitiate! |
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A lovely, simple Reception followed outside. Some of the guests included people the novices had worked with in the various base communities and local groups during their apostolic experience.
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It was marvelous that the Reception and First Profession took place on the 161st Anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute. This celebration brought together gratitude for our past and hope for our future.
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In ways we perhaps cannot imagine,
God is gracing us with the gift of New Life. |
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We would like to thank each sister, each community
and all our families and friends
for your prayer, support, presence
through emails, cards and various messages received on this day
which was so important for all of us
but in a special way for Rosa Armanda as she begins the second year of Novitiate
and for the newly professed Iranete, Joyce, Feliciana and Celma.
May God continue to give life to our Institute
through our commitment of living our Mission
in a spirit of Faith and Zeal
- the spirit which always animated our founders
Fr Gailhac and Mere St Jean.
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Click to see more photos and videos in Picasa's Album
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Back to the previous page:
Reception into the Novitiate, 23rd of February 2010
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