On September 8, in Cap-Haitian, Haiti, the Province of Our Lady of Perpetual Help gathered to celebrate the First Professions of two novices. Coming in the midst of renewed protests in several places in the country due to the ongoing political and social crisis, the Mass of First Profession was a moment of great light and hope for the Holy Cross community and the local Church.

As is often the case for these celebrations, the Mass of First Profession took place at the auditorium of Collége Notre Dame du Perpétuel Secours. The two novices to profess their First Vows were Mr. Hynel Esterlin, C.S.C., and Mr. Michaël-Rhito Fenelus, C.S.C.

Fr. Rosemond Marcelin, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was unable to attend the Mass, and so he delegated Fr. Michel Martin Eugene, C.S.C., Vicar Provincial, to preside at the Mass and to receive the vows of the newly professed. In his homily, Fr. Eugene explored the meaning of the following of Christ in Holy Cross today in relation to the challenges of the mission.

Read more about the work of Holy Cross in Haiti

After the ceremony, a fraternal agape meal took place with the confreres and the families of the newly professed.

In addition to coming in the midst of the renewed protests, the ceremony was punctuated with poignancy for both the Province and the newly professed, as Fr. Joseph Keith Louidor, C.S.C., Novice Master, passed away during the novitiate year on March 12, 2022. He was replaced by Fr. Stevenson François, C.S.C., who had served previously for six years in this position.