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Vestición en India: Novicias de las Hermanas de María durante la Misa Reception in Einkleidung in Indien: Novizinnen der Marienschwestern bei der Messe |
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Coro Choir Chor |
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Entrega del vestido Presentation of the dress Überreichung des Kleides |
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Procesión de las novicias con sus padres Procession of the novices with their parents Einzug der Novizinnen mit ihren Eltern |
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Familiares de las novicias Relatives of the novices Verwandte der Novizinnen bei der Feier |
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Miembros del Instituto Nuestra Señora de Schoenstatt Members of the Institute of the Ladies of Schoenstatt Frauen von Schönstatt Fotos: Wosny © 2005 |
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BANGALORE, Alfonso Wonsny Filho, On the 21st of May, 9 novices of the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary solemnly received the habit of the Sister of Mary in a ceremony that took place in the Provincial House of the Sisters in India, in Nagasandra, Bangalore. The Holy Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Bangalore, Monsignor Bernard Moras and Sister Gisela Maria, Superior of the German Province of the Sisters of Mary, who is responsible for India, was also present. She arrived to visit the Sisters and to especially participate in this important event for her community.
The grounds of the Shrine were adorned with natural arrangements, white and yellow flags, a large Schoenstatt flag (with Father Kentenich’s centennial symbol) and in the interior of the Shrine there were no pews, because many pilgrims participated in the feast and this way there would be more room for everyone. The interior of the tent where the Holy Mass was celebrated was completely covered with golden and colored handkerchiefs which adorned the place and served as protection from the strong sun, that in this season in Bangalore, "burns the skin of even the holiest pilgrim"…The presbytery was very well prepared and at the side of a beautiful symbol shaped like the Shrine and a white lily, there was only the motto that the novices chose for their feast: "I have written your name on the palm of my hand", taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is. 49,16).
It was celebrated with a large and happy family
Punctually at 10:30 a.m., preceded by several girls from the Sisters‘ School, each one with a rose in her hand, the nine novices arrived in procession accompanied by their respective parents and they entered the tent singing. The tent was full of relatives , members from other religious communities, members of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, the Ladies of Schoenstatt, many Sisters, who came from other houses of the Sisters of Mary in India, coordinators of the Pilgrim MTA, and many friends. The novices arrived dressed in a white sari and a small crown on their head and after the rite of presentation of the habit, the cameras did not stop flashing, when the novices returned to the tent, now dressed in their habits of the Sisters of Mary and with their medals of the Institute of Novices.
In the homily, Monsignor Mouras explained the significance of the habit and he also spoke of the old man that they symbolically left behind and the new man, that they also symbolically received with the presentation of the habit. At the beginning of the Eucharistic a short presentation about the Institute of the Sisters was made so that everyone would better understand who was hosting the feast.
After Holy Mass everyone went on pilgrimage to the Shrine and after a prayer of the novices with Archbishop inside the Shrine, it was time to greet the novices, now also with their new names as Sisters, and they celebrated together as a family. The Sisters were very generous and all the guests enjoyed an excellent lunch that was extended until Saturday afternoon.
Translation: Celina M. Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA