On Saturday, January 7, the celebration of the Feast of Saint André Bessette, five new novices were officially received at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Huaycán, Peru, in a Mass held in the Novitiate chapel. Fr. Elmer Caro, C.S.C., Assistant Superior of the District of Chile-Peru, presided at the Mass, and Fr. Alfredo Hernández, Assistant Novice Master, concelebrated.

The five new novices come from the four countries in which the Congregation of Holy Cross serves in Latin America: there are two from Brazil, and one each from Chile, Mexico, and Peru. They will be guided in this special year of formation by Br. Jonathan Beebe, C.S.C., Novice Master.

Read the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross

As part of their reception into the Novitiate, the five new novices received copies of the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which they will read, study, and meditate upon closely this year as they are apprenticed in the vowed life of poverty, chastity and obedience in the Congregation.

Joining the reception celebration were various members of the Holy Cross community in Peru, as well as Fr. Carlos Jacobo de los Santos, C.S.C., Director of Postulants and Vocations Director in Mexico.

Over the next few days, the novices will continue their orientation into the Novitiate program. These days of orientation will culminate with an opening retreat on January 15-20, which will be led by Fr. Rodrigo Valenzuela, C.S.C., Director of Mission Engagement at Saint George’s College in Santiago, Chile.