Novitiate

The novitiate formation is the process by which a novice is assisted in his consideration and preparation for religious life within the Catholic Church. Rightly, the Church defines it as a time of intense formation with the exclusive purpose of preparing candidates for a consecrated life (Canon 652 § 2). The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament prepares young novices to be consecrated persons and to participate in the mission of the Church. The structure of the novitiate is considered to be an important element to conduct a formation programme (Canon 647 § 2). Providentially, the Congregation obtained a place at Matale (109, Nagolla Road) which is conducive to lead the novices to develop human, Christian and liturgical values. In this particular ambience the novices are instructed regarding ‘the character and spirit, the purpose and discipline, and life of the Institute’ (Canon 652 § 2).
We austerely follow the ‘Follow-Me’, a document which provides all the necessary guidelines for formation. During a two-year of time period, novices learn the practice of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, which are indispensable for their consecrated life. Moreover, they are given values of prayer, spirituality, community living; and inputs on the founder, Rule of Life, history of the Congregation and life education; opportunities for pastoral cum community exposures and parish ministry. At the conclusion of the novitiate formation, they make their
profession of vows (Canon 654).
In the process of forming novices in the Congregation, many people are involved, nevertheless, the governance of the novices is reserved to the master of novices alone (Canon 650 § 2). In the formation process, the vocation of novices is tested and gradually they are moulded to lead the life of perfection which is proper to our Congregation. This process is essential, because they are preparing themselves to imitate Jesus Christ and to play special roles in the Catholic Church.
Currently, Fr. Manuel Asirvadam,sss., serves as the master of novices and Fr. Ignatius Savarimuthu,sss., plays the role of a supporting-formator. The formators make sure certain milestones are met, that novices are getting everything they need, and will make recommendations at the end of every formation year about what should happen next in an individual candidate’s formation.
Novices are essentially like other young people of their age group with full of vigour, dynamism, determination and fascination for their future aspirations. When a youngster joins the novitiate formation to follow the SSS way of life, he is encouraged to seek God with his whole soul, and inspired to dedicate his entire being to the greater glory of God. Presently, two candidates namely, Benjamin Tiyok from the parish of Uthuwankantha, from the diocese of Kegalle and
Keethaponnalan Johnson, from the Cathedral parish of the diocese of Mannar are following formation programmes in the novitiate. The said candidates are being enlighten that the religious commitment is not to be built on a foundation of dreams and desires but rather on concrete-faith and conviction.
The novitiate programme itself making spirited efforts to adjust to many and complex phases of religious life. Today, we are aware of the necessity of dialogue, fraternity and gift of self in community living. Thus, our focus is on the stability of this form of life in order to help novices to prepare themselves to live religious life appropriately. Undoubtedly, the novices of today need thoughtful guidance, intelligent understanding and prudent direction.