The St. Joseph Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross rejoiced on 17 January with the Final Professions of three of its members: Br. Martin Biswas, C.S.C., Br. Patrick Hadima, C.S.C., and Br. Ankon Rebeiro, C.S.C. The celebration actually began the day prior, 16 January, with a Blessing Ceremony at St. Christina Church. The event opened with Eucharistic Adoration, setting a tone of prayerful reflection. Accompanied by carol singing, the three candidates processed into the St. Joseph High Secondary School campus, where they were warmly welcomed by their own families and the Holy Cross Brothers, Sisters, and Priests. A special moment of the ritual was the traditional chandan tilak blessing, symbolizing divine grace and spiritual protection—a powerful reminder of the communal support that underpins their journey.
Then on 17 January, in a solemn and joyous ceremony, the three brothers professed their Final Vowsto Br. Ripon James Gomes, C.S.C., Superior of the St. Joseph Province. Presiding at the Mass was the Most Rev. Subroto Boniface Gomes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Among the many Holy Cross Brothers, Sisters, and Priests present was Fr. George K. Rozario, C.S.C., Superior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province.
The joy spilled over following Mass into a reception for those present, including members of the three brothers’ families.
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Br. Ankon Peter Rebeiro, C.S.C., a native of Dhaka, Bangladesh, professed First Vows on 27 July 2018. Br. Ankon holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Loyola College in Chennai, India. He also pursued a Diploma in Philosophy and Theology at Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka, Bangladesh. While in India for cross-cultural experience, he discovered that he can easily identify with people of different backgrounds. Br. Ankon wrote, “When I talked to a Tripura man, I found myself as a Tripura Brother. When I talked to a Bawm man, I became a Bawm Brother.” He has taught at St. Paul’s School in Khulna, Don Bosco High School in Bandarban, and is currently teaching at St. Joseph Literacy School in Dhaka.
Br. Martin Uttam Biswas, C.S.C., hails from Khulna in Bangladesh. He pronounced First Vows on 28 July 2017. Br. Martin strongly desires to engage in missionary work outside his country. He has a visible prayer life that shows in his daily presence before the Blessed Sacrament. In 2021, Martin completed a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Liberal Arts in Bangladesh. He has served as a teacher at St. Placid School and College in Chattogram, Holy Cross School and College in Bandura, and St. Philip’s School and College in Dinajpur. Presently he serves as the person in charge of the St. Nicholas Boys Hostel in Nagari. Br. Martin has a special devotion to Mother Mary.
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Br. Pepar Patrick Hadima, C.S.C., comes from Joloy village in the district of Tangail, Bangladesh. Br. Pepar professed First Vows on 28 July 2017. He is a highly spirited person with a passion for serving the youth, the poor, and the marginalized. His desire to work with youth began when he realized that “young people lacked motivation about their lives, particularly their future lives.” He sought ways to motivate them to bring change into their lives. Br. Pepar has great devotion to St. André and St. Joseph. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Loyola College in Chennai, India. He has taught at St. Joseph Literacy School in Dhaka and Holy Cross School and College in Bandura.