Ekali, Cameroon. After a year of novitiate formation, fourteen novices from four Major Organisms, namely Polska Province (6), Congo Independent Delegation (4), Mãe da África Independent Delegation (3), and Cameroun Independent Delegation (1), made their first profession in the Congregation on August 13, 2022, at the Anton Probst Novitiate in Ekali. Fourteen rooted in Christ and hopeful Claretian dreamers. Fr. Theophilus Parfait Yene, CMF, Vicar Delegate and Prefect of Formation, received their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
The Eucharistic celebration began at 10 am, presided over by Fr. Theophile Parfait Yene, CMF, with dozens of concelebrants, many religious men and women, family and relatives of those who professed, Claretian friends, and the faithful of the St. Joseph Parish of Ekali.
In his homily, Fr. Theophil emphasized that the gift of vocation and consecration to God is a way for God the Creator to enter our humanity. It is a gift of God’s grace.
A churchgoer was amazed by the number of vocations they have witnessed today and said,
“We don’t know what miracle the Claretians do to have so many vocations every year.”
The previous day, eleven new novices entered. One class left the novitiate house, and another arrived. Anton Probst Novitiate continues to give birth to new Dreamers in the Congregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Praise be the Lord!
(Fr. Thomas Aquinas Mvondo, CMF, CLARCOCam 2022)
