On December 29, 2023, the Holy Cross Novitiate in Barishal celebrated the First Professions of nine novices: six from the St. Joseph’s Province and three from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province.

The newly professed are: Br. Akash Thomas Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Andrias Das, C.S.C., Br. Aronnyo Richard Cruze, C.S.C., Br. Dip Peter Costa, C.S.C., Br. Dipto Pio Peris, C.S.C., Br. Jim Martin Costa, C.S.C., Mr. Bicromoni Michael Tripura, C.S.C., Mr. Jonas Bernabus Rozario, C.S.C., and Mr. Roni David Mankhin, C.S.C.

The Mass was held in the chapel of the Oriental Institute, Sagardi, in Barishal. Fr. George K. Rozario, C.S.C., Superior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, presided at the Mass and received the vows of the three novices of his province. Br. Subal L. Rozario, C.S.C., Superior of the St. Joseph Province, received the vows of six novices from his province.

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In addition to their Novice Master, Fr. Vincent B. Rozario, C.S.C., and Assistant Novice Master, Br. Shimul A. Rozario, C.S.C., the novices were joined by many family members, as well as seven priests, eight brothers, and nine sisters for the Mass, reception and meal that followed.

Two days later on January 1, 2024, in a beautiful ringing in of the New Year, the novitiate received 13 new novices, eight from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province and five from the St. Joseph Province. The rite of their reception was presided by Fr. Vincent with the assistance of Br. Shimul.