India: A triple celebration of vocation and commitment
Once again, May 30 and 31 were days of immense grace and joyful memories for the members of the community of Vijayawada, as it celebrated three significant milestones – admission to the Novitiate, admission to the Pre-Novitiate and the First Religious Profession. Each milestone marked a profound step of faith for the young men answering the Lord’s call.
Crossing the Threshold into Religious Life
On the morning of May 30, 2026, during the Eucharistic celebration, the Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr Joby Mathew, admitted eight postulants – Andrew Sanglyne, Budlang Rymbai, Walki Thayang, Sagaya Nickson, Kyrshandame Phawa, Abhishek A., Bikash Kerketta and Milshan Minz – to the canonical year of novitiate. These young men hail from five different states across India.
In his inspiring homily, Fr Joby Mathew challenged the new novices to deepen their experience of God through prayer and the regular reading of the Word of God. He also reminded them of the importance of cultivating and growing in the spirit of detachment which is necessary to build a strong spiritual foundation.
He entrusted the novices to the care of Fr Francis Dalmet, the newly appointed Novice Master, invoking the maternal intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and the fatherly protection of Blessed James Alberione.
Stepping into the Threshold of Discernment
On the evening of May 30, 2026, during a short prayer service, six candidates – Ashutosh Panna, Gopal Barla, Pawan Dungdung, Ramiia Nongrum, Rishaibok Lyngdoh and Sunit Tete – officially entered their year of postulancy, taking a definitive step forward in their formative journey.
On the occasion, Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior, explained to them about the importance of discerning and perfecting their attitude, aptitude, and love for their religious vocation. He further exhorted them to keep their eyes fixed on the sublime beauty of the Pauline vocation so that overcoming the distractions of the world, they are able to persevere in their divine calling.
“The First Yes” to the Divine Call
After having faithfully and successfully completed their canonical year of novitiate, Br Silbester Dungdung and Br Westerval Bamon, made their first religious commitment in the community of Vijayawada, during the celebration of a solemn Holy Eucharist, on 31 May 2026. This grace-filled moment was witnessed by the members from the communities of Vijayawada and Eluru, alongside a large gathering of priests and religious from the neighbouring communities. On behalf of the Society of St Paul, Rev. Fr Joby Mathew, the Provincial Superior, officially received their vows and welcomed the newly professed into the Pauline fraternity.
In his homily, Fr Joby Mathew invited the young men to model their religious life after the Holy Trinity, the ultimate exemplar of love shared endlessly. He reminded them that just as the Holy Trinity is a communion of selfless, uncalculated love, they too must strive to practice self-giving love in their life as a professed religious.
A short felicitation program followed the spiritual celebration in which the newly professed brothers, the new novices, and the postulants were honoured and felicitated. Words of appreciation, encouragement and blessings were showered upon them as they embarked on their respective new chapters. The grand celebrations concluded on a high note with a festive lunch, shared in true Pauline warmth and brotherhood.
We congratulate our new postulants, novices, and especially Br Silbester and Br Westerval on their courageous response to God's call. We assure them of our constant prayers and fraternal support as they continue to walk in the footsteps of Saint Paul, communicating Christ the Way, Truth and Life to the world.
May Jesus the Divine Master sustain them, and may Mary, Queen of the Apostles, protect their vocation!
