On Saturday, 24 October, the Congregation’s two Provinces in Bangladesh celebrated the First Profession of nine novices from the Holy Cross Novitiate, Sagardi, in Barishal. The Mass of First Profession was held at the chapel of the Oriental Institute on the same property. They had been shepherded during their novitiate year by Fr. Vincent Bimal Rozario, C.S.C., Novice Master, and Br. Topon Lawrence Serao, C.S.C., Assistant.

Five of the newly professed are from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province and are preparing for the priesthood: Mr. James Tripura, C.S.C., Mr. Luxson Rozario, C.S.C., Mr. Omio Dalbot, C.S.C., Mr. Shreshtho Pereira, C.S.C., and Mr. Soumik Kulentinu, C.S.C. Their vows were received by their Provincial, Fr. George K. Rozario, C.S.C., who presided at the Mass.

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The other four newly professed are brothers and belong to St. Joseph Province: Br. David Ruram, C.S.C., Br. Rony Lakra, C.S.C., Br. Shrabon Palma, C.S.C., and Br. Uday Gomes, C.S.C. Their vows were also received by their Provincial, Br. Ripon J. Gomes, C.S.C.

Many Holy Cross priests and brothers joined family members of the newly professed at the Mass and the reception.

The five seminarians and four brothers have reported back to their respective Provinces to continue their formation. Then, on Saturday, 31 November, at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Barishal, 11 new novices arrived: six from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province and five from the St. Joseph Province.