On 8th April 2024, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, two postulants in Mysore community were received to begin the two-year Novitiate stage of their religious formation. Betsy Matthew and Luncha Mary were received as Novices in a short ceremony during evening prayer in St Anthony’s Covent, Belwadi.
The whole Indian Community was present for the reception as well as Sisters in St. Joseph’s Littlehampton, who joined them by video call. The new Sisters expressed their desire to continue their training in the FMSL. They received the book of the Gospels, a copy of the Rule and FMSL Constitutions and the Crucifix from Sr Promodini, the Community Leader. At the end of evening prayer, Betsy Matthew offered thanks on behalf of herself and Luncha Mary. They expressed appreciation to Sr Sujatha, who had instructed and accompanied them through postulancy, to Mother General and Council, and to the Community in the UK and India who supported them.
Sisters Luncha Mary and Betsy Matthew will be based in St Anthony’s Convent during their next two years as novices. Under the direction of Sr Promodini, they will follow a spiritual programme of training in consecrated life as FMSL to prepare them for their first profession of religious vows. They will join second-year novices Jyotsna, Monica and Riyona in this stage.
We praise and thank God for his blessings in increasing our community and we ask you to remember our novices and their formators in your prayers.