Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Entrance to the Novitiate

The day came that Jesus was presented by His parents at the temple for the purification of Mary. And now, February 02, 2017; two young women, namely: Ma. Crystal Bermejo of the Philippines and Celina García of Uruguay were presented to the Lord as they entered the Novitiate of the Hijas de Jesús Congregation in the “ Noviciado Internacional Madre Cándida” in Córdoba, Argentina.

The two young women courageously chose to follow Jesus with their firm YES in the new phase of their formation to become Hijas de Jesús.

Rite of Entrance to the Novitiate started at 12:30 pm (Argentinian time) and was attended by some sisters from the Hijas de Jesús communities in Argentina with Sr. Graciela Mirta Francovig F.I., the Provincial Superior of the province of América-Andina. It was a simple yet solemn liturgy led by Sr. Sonia María da Rocha (novice mistress) to entrust to the Lord these two young women as they continue to desire to follow and live the life of Jesus.

Crystal and Celina were accepted by Sr. Graciela Mirta Francovig F.I. and followed by the reading of the Gospel about the presentation. Then, Sr. Graciela gave the Constitutions to help them learn the life of an authentic Hija de Jesús as what Mo. Candida desires them to be. It was followed by the giving of the “signos” of the novitiate, cross and medal, by Srs. María Jung-Hi Chai and Sr. Patricia Yzary F.I. The medal is the symbol of belonging to the Hijas de Jesús Congregation in the novitiate stage of formation. And lastly, Sr. Norma Granzotto F.I. gave the crucifixes to remind them that Jesus is always with them even in their struggles and joys.

To bless the novices and their families, the sisters had a Eucharistic Celebration at 7:30 pm celebrated by Fr. Alfonso Gómez Boulin SJ. In his homily, he said that the consecration of the two women is like the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple. They were consecrated to the Lord to help fulfill His mission.

Written by Crystal Bermejo, NFI