(ANS – Medellín) – At the novitiate in La Ceja, Antioquia, Colombia-Medellín Province, on Saturday 19 January, 29 Salesian novices from Central America, Bolivia, Peru and the two Colombian Provinces, Bogotà and Medellin, offered their lives to God by making their first vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. Accompanied by their families, the novices took a step that confirms them in religious life.

The Mass was celebrated in the afternoon at the Dominic Savio Institute, La Ceja. Fr John Jairo Gómez Rúa, Provincial, Medellín was the main celebrant, joined by Frs Mario Peresson, Provincial, Bogotà, Cristóbal López, Provincial, Bolivia, Manuel Solano, Provincial Economer, Central America, Ariel Guerrero, Director of novices, and many other Salesian priests. A number of Salesian Brothers, other Salesians in initial formation, Salesian Sisters and friends and relatives of the 29 young men were also present.

Immediately following the Gospel Fr Guerrero presented each of the novices. After the homily the novices then recited the profession formula, professed their vows, then received a medal as a symbol of their temporary vows, and the Salesian Constitutions, sign of their belonging to God and the community, their promise of fidelity to their calling and the sure way that leads to love.

At the end of the ceremony one of the young men, Yery Rojas from Bolivia, spoke in the name of all the newly professed expressing their joy, and then thanked each member of the formation community that has supported and accompanied the group through the year of novitiate. Before the ceremony concluded, Gómez Rúa publicly thanked Fr Guerrero, who “has shown competence and dedication over six years in his role as Novice Director”; Fr Armando Álvarez Díaz succeeds him in this task of accompanying young men in the initial stage of Salesian life.

The first religious profession has a temporary character in that it is a profession for one year which can then be renewed over the following six years. It is understood as a time of opportunity for understanding the importance and commitment involved in one's state of life, and is then definitively sealed as a pact with God through Perpetual Profession.

For a number of years now the novitiate in Colombia has welcomed novices from various Provinces in the Interamerica region, and is a solution which enriches the formation process for each young candidate, opening him up to an inter-cultural situation and greater sensitivity to the wider Congregation. The novitiate has a formation team developed for the purpose and made up of Salesians from the various Provinces from which the novices come.

Published 24/01/2013