Three pre-novices were accepted to the novitiate of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Philippines on April 24, 2011, feast of St. Mary Euphrasia.
The new novices are Srs. Mary Clara Lina G. Loilo, Sr. Mary Emelia J. Guardian and Sr. Mary Callen Nyaboke Abenga. Sr. M. Clara and Sr. M. Emelia are from Sorsogon while Sr. M. Callen is from Nyamira, Kenya. The sector leader of Kenya, Sr. Dorothy Ndumba, requested Sr. M. Cecilia Torres, province leader of the Philippines, for Sr. M. Callen to join the formation, the first year novitiate, in the Philippines.
The novices finished a year of aspirancy and a year of pre-novitiate before they were accepted to the novitiate.
The rite of acceptance was held at the Christine Hall, located at the Good Shepherd Provincialate, 1043 Aurora Blvd. in Quezon City. (Christine Hall was named after Sr. M. Christine Tan RGS, first Filipina Provincial, who died in 2003).
Sr. M. Emma Marzan, prenovitiate directress, introduced the three pre-novices to the sisters gathered, including Sr. Cecilia, Sr. M. Teresa Danganan, novice directress, and the Good Shepherd Sisters from the various communities in Metro Manila and several countries in Asia.
Each novice received a copy of the Integrated Constitutions of the congregation, a cross and a necklace with the pendant bearing the images of the Good Shepherd and St. Mary Euphrasia.
The first year novitiate is a period for deepening of the novices relationship with God, a time to study the history of the Congregation, the Church and religious life.
After the ceremonies, the novices, accompanied by the Good Shepherd Sisters, went to the Novitiate at the fourth floor of Good Shepherd Community. Refreshments were served to those gathered for the occasion.
Since the mission assignments were also released on April 24, Sr. Lorraine Libres, a second year novice, learned that she has been missioned to Kalilid Community in Agusan del Sur for her apostolic experience.
The Philippine Novitiate will mark on June 21, 2011, its 50th year of establishment. A Eucharistic Celebration will be held at the Good Shepherd Chapel in Quezon City.
| Novitiate |
| Art 65. The novitiate is the novice's preparation for religious life. The novice directress guides and helps her to undersand and to live the essentials of a life of consecration for mission. The novice seeks to deepen her love for Jesus and her understanding of his love for her. She meets him in the Gospel, in personal prayer, in the liturgy, in community, in the spirit and tradition of the congregation. In Him. she discovers the meaning of the evangelical counsels and zeal. |