Friday, August 18, was a long-awaited day for the St. Joseph Province in Bangladesh as eight of their brothers made their Final Professions of the Religious Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Mass was held at St. Nicholas Church in Nagari, Dhaka, and the Most Rev. Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, Archbishop of Dhaka, presided and preached.

Br. Subal Rozario, C.S.C., Superior of the St. Joseph Province, received the Vows of the eight brothers: Br. Anik Richard Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Dibos Jerome Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Jerry Mark Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Jhalok Issac Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Shovon Victor Costa C.S.C., Br. Samuel Shimul Rozario, C.S.C., Br. Bablu Bernard Pantra, C.S.C., and Br. Clinton Cornelious Mree, C.S.C.

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The night prior to their Final Profession, a traditional Bengali blessing ceremony known as Mongalasirvad was held at the St. Nicholas School campus in Nagari, Dhaka. Many religious and guests in addition to the men’s families joined Holy Cross in this celebration. Even more came the following day to the Mass at St. Nicholas Church.

Among those present for the Final Professions was Br. Nee Wayoe, C.S.C., Fourth Assistant and Congregational Director of Formation, who was in Bangladesh for the celebration as well as a vocations and formation workshop.

Br. Wayoe along with Br. Rozario and Archbishop D’Cruze inaugurated a souvenir magazine of the Final Vows at the end of the Mass. Br. Rozario also offered some words of gratitude to all those who had been part of the vocation and formation journeys of the young brothers.

A reception and thanksgiving ceremony, including colorful dances, songs, and other cultural events, followed the Mass in St. Nicholas Parish Hall.

Br. Anik Richard Rozario, C.S.C., was born in Harikhola in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh. He made his First Profession of vows on August 5, 2016. Anik attended Loyola College in Chennai, India, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. The cross-cultural experience enabled him to be sensitive to differences of personalities in the community. After studies in theology and philosophy, he was awarded a Diploma by an affiliated university, the Pontifical Urbaniana in Rome. Anik taught this year at Holy Cross School and College in Bandura. He had previously served as the Assistant Director of the Juniorate Program in Nagari. 

Br. Dibos Jerome Rozario, C.S.C., is a native of Garalia in the Gazipur district. He made his First Profession of vows on August 5, 2016. The experience of living in a cross-cultural setting inspired him to cross borders of every sort and taught him how to relate to people of different cultures. Dibos has been a teacher this year at Biroidakuni High School in Mymensingh. He had served previously as the Assistant Director of the Come and See program in Diang. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Loyola College and a diploma in theology and philosophy.

Br. Jerry Mark Rozario, C.S.C., hails from Chitan in the Gazipur district. He took First Vows to begin his journey as a religious on July 24, 2015. Jerry is a community-minded person who places himself at the service of others. Having lived in different cultures, he posits that cultures and traditions deepen one’s understanding of others. Jerry teaches at Tumilia Boys’ High School and has a Diploma in Engineering and Technology from Mirpur Agricultural Workshop and Training School and a certificate in theology and philosophy from the Conference of Religious Center, in Saver, Bangladesh.

Br. Jhalok Isaac Rozario, C.S.C., is from Doripara in the Gazipur district. On August 5, 2016, he expressed his desire to serve God as a religious by pronouncing First Vows. Jhalok is a man of prayer and believes that prayer is the source of a happy religious life. As a teacher, he enjoys his apostolate and is further motivated to work with the youth. Presently he has been teaching at St. Louis Secondary School in Shimulia. Jhalok holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola College in Chennai, as well as a diploma in theology and philosophy.

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Br. Shovon Victor Costa, C.S.C., was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He professed First Vows on August 5, 2016. Shovon holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Loyola College in Chennai, India. Living in a cross-cultural setting taught Shovon to work for the benefit of the People of God and not for personal gains. Shovon is a prayerful person and asserts that prayer energizes him and shows him how to live religious life with joy and in peace. He has a special love for and shows concern for those in need.

Br. Samuel Shimul Rozario, C.S.C., comes from Adhgram, Borni. On July 28, 2017, his desire to be a religious in the Congregation of Holy Cross advanced when he professed First Vows. This past year Samuel was teaching at St. Joseph Technical School of Industrial Trade at Narinda in Dhaka, where he had previously studied. He creatively contributes to the life and activities of the school, thus earning the respect of students, colleagues, and administrators. Samuel has a special love for the sick, always quick to respond to their needs.

Read about Holy Cross's charism of uniting priests and brothers

Br. Bablu Bernard Pantra, C.S.C., hails from Katolmary Village in Surjpur, Bazar. On June 26, 2015, he professed First Vows. Bablu earned a Master’s Degree in English from Notre Dame University in Dhaka. He has a passion for computer hardware and electrical work and is an expert at fixing computers. Bablu is known to have a heart for the poor and the marginalized and enjoys being of service to others. He is a community-minded person and is very sensitive to the needs of others. He is known for being available to and respectful of others.

Br. Clinton Cornelius Mree, C.S.C., was born in the Tangail district in the Mymensingh Diocese. He professed First Vows on August 5, 2016. Brother Clinton enjoys teaching and this year worked at St. Philip’s School and College in Dinajpur. Studying at Loyola College in Chennai gave him more experience in cross-cultural living. He asserts that cross-cultural living helped him to become more respectful of people, regardless of from where they come. Clinton is a dedicated and hardworking person. He has such a jovial attitude that makes him easily interact with others.

The eight brothers of the St. Joseph Province are only the start of Final Professions for the Congregation of Holy Cross this August. Up next is the United States Province of Priests and Brothers on Saturday, August 26, followed by the new Province of East Africa on August 30.