After the Final Professions in the United States, Haiti, and Ghana in the last few weeks, India’s turn came in the second half of the month of September. Spread over two beautiful celebrations, the Congregation of Holy Cross in India celebrated the Final Professions of 11 religious in 2019.
The first celebration took place on September 16 in the chapel of St. Andre Home in Sakalavara, Banglalore. Six seminarians from the Province of South India and one seminarian from the Province of North East India made their Final Professions that day.
The Most Rev. Percival Fernandez, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bombay, presided at the Mass, and Fr. Robert Epping, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation, preached and received the vows of the seven men.
View an international gallery of Final Vows in Holy Cross
The six religious from South India to make their Final Profession are: Mr. Vudumala Antoni Reddy, C.S.C., Mr. Boneventure Lobo, C.S.C., Mr. Joel Glan Mendonca, C.S.C., Mr. Pretham Joy Menezes, C.S.C., Mr. Siju Pappachan Kollamkudy, C.S.C., and Mr. Vijith Joney Matthias, C.S.C.
The religious professing Final Vows from North East India was Mr. Lawrence Wanniang, C.S.C.
Among the many Holy Cross religious present for their professions were the superiors of their respective provinces: Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., of South India, and Fr. Simon Fernandez, C.S.C., of North East India.
Just one day later, on September 17, all seven of the newly finally professed were ordained to the Deaconate in the same chapel. Bishop Fernandez was the ordaining bishop.
Learn more about Holy Cross in India
These seven Final Professions were only the start for Holy Cross in India, as a few days later, on September 22, four more religious professed Final Vows in the Congregation. These four religious are all members of the Vicariate of Tamil Nadu, and their Mass of Final Profession was held on the grounds of Holy Cross School in Somarasampettai.
Once again, Fr. Epping was present to receive the Final Professions of the four: Mr. Arokia Raj George, C.S.C., Mr. Lawrence Savarimuthu, C.S.C., Mr. Manu Praveen, C.S.C., and Mr. Vimal Wilbert Arokiasamy, C.S.C.
In this case, Fr. Epping also presided at the Mass. Among other concelebrants, he was joined by Fr. KJ Abraham, C.S.C., the Second General Assistant; Fr. Panneer Selvam, C.S.C., Superior of the Vicariate; and Fr. Peter John, C.S.C., Vicariate Councilor, who preached the homily. Also in attendance was Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Vicar and First General Assistant.
All four of the newly finally professed are members of the Society of Priests in the Congregation. Having made their Final Profession, the next step for them was to be ordained transitional deacons in anticipation, God willing, of their Ordination to the Priesthood.
Their Ordination to the Deaconate was today, September 29, at Pillar House in the chapel of the Pallotine Fathers in Maudurai. The Most Rev. Arochiasamy Jude Gerald Paulraj, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Palayamkottai, was the ordaining bishop. As with the previous celebrations, there was a large contigent of Holy Cross religious present, along with the family and friends of the four men. Following the Mass, there was a reception for those present.
All told, that makes 21 Final Professions for the Congregation worldwide in the span of a month: five in the United States, four in Haiti, one in Ghana, and the 11 just mentioned in India. It is a powerful, international sign of the vitality of Holy Cross.