The Congregation of Holy Cross’s four provinces in India held their First Professions on May 24 at their common Holy Cross Novitiate in Yercaud. With the theme of “Bloom in Christ,” 11 novices professed their First Vows in a Mass presided by Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of Tamil Nadu. Joining the Holy Cross religious and the novices’ family members and friends at the Mass were many other religious from the Yercaud region.

Six of the newly professed come from the Province of North East India: Mr. Davit Nongrum, C.S.C., Mr. Emelius Lyngkhoi, C.S.C., Mr. John Suansianthanga, C.S.C., Mr. Marshal Mawlong, C.S.C., Mr. Sarbin Soreng, C.S.C., and, Mr. Wantei Warlaithma, C.S.C. Fr. Alfred D’Souza, C.S.C., who is from the province, was delegated to receive their professions.

Fr. Gaspar received the three professions of novices from the Province of Tamil Nadu: Mr. Albin D., C.S.C., Mr. Arun Kumar, C.S.C., and Mr. Joerithik, C.S.C.

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There was one novice each from the Province of South India, Mr. Jebin JoJo, C.S.C., whose vows were received by Fr. Royal Nazareth, C.S.C.,who was representing his provincial, and from the Saint André Province, Br. Andria Piangsianmuana, C.S.C., whose vows were received by Br. PJ Santosh, C.S.C., Superior of the Saint André Province.

This First Profession class was the first of Fr. David Adai, C.S.C., Novice Master, but it was the last group for Fr. Kitbok, C.S.C., Assistant Novice Master, who is the new Rector at Sacred Heart Seminary.

The Novitiaate has not remained empty, however, as on May 15, eight new novices were officially received into the Novitiate by Fr. David during Mass in the novitiate chapel. They will live their Novitiate year guided by Fr. David and Fr. Gabriel Darlong, C.S.C., the new Assistant Novice Master in Yercaud.