Newton (United States). From 1 to 26 July 2021, at Sacred Heart Novitiate in Newton, New Jersey, St. Joseph Province (SEC), seven FMA Temporary Professed, three from the 1st month and four from the 2nd month, lived the formative experience of the Second Novitiate, on the theme “Following Christ more closely”.
In the daily conferences, the elements of the vocation of the Daughter of Mary Help of Christians were studied in depth: vows, mission, community life, and prayer. Among the speakers were some members of the FMA General Council, and others of the Province of Mary Immaculate (SUO) and of St. Joseph Province SEC. Most of the meetings took place online.
The Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, spoke to the Temporary Professed about the meaning of Perpetual Profession. “Preparing for Perpetual Vows means giving everything to Jesus. Accept that Jesus is the One who will decide where to send us and what to ask of us. … The FMA is consecrated to God in her heart. This is our identity, consecration to Jesus.”
A Temporary Professed Sister shared: “We are happy to have had this time to reflect on our vocational journey and to deepen our response to Christ. We were able to rediscover the richness of the Constitutions. Looking at our personal paths, we were amazed at how we have grown in the sense of belonging to the Institute. Mother Yvonne shared with us how Perpetual Profession makes us ‘forever’ part of the Institute and of a great spiritual Family, and this is exciting. We are grateful to all the FMA who contributed to making this experience possible.”
The Temporary Professed had the joy of living this formative time in the place of their novitiate, accompanied by the SEC Provincial, Sister Joanne Holloman.
