Tomohon, North Sulawesi. Five novices entered the second year novitiate after they finished their first year formation. The novices are Br. Benyamin Pati from the Diocese of Larantuka, Br. Wilhelmus Mendrofa from the Diocese of Sibolga, Br. Gabriel Fatima Soares from the Diocese of Dili, Timor Leste, Br. Januario Sani Quehi from the Diocese of Maliana and Br. Manuel Bareto Amaral from the Diocese of Maliana. During their formation period in the first year novitiate, they were guided by the novice master Br. Philipus Weredity, assisted by Br. Alfons Seran and Br. Vincent Kaunang.
The formation in the first year novitiate or canonic year follows the vision, mission, and the basic principles of the formation of religious life. The basic principles of the formation are the following: First, the holistic approach of the formation supports personality development in terms of affection, intellect, emotion, morality, spirituality, and social-pastoral attitude. Secondly, this holistic approach is a unified and harmonious approach among all aspects of the formation. The third principle aims at awareness of the own identity as a human being. The fourth principle is about the awareness of being called to follow Christ. The fifth principle is to live as a religious person and the sixth and last principle deals with formation of apostleship.
The main focus in the formation of the first year novices is to lead them to build up their commitment through the formation of the heart and mind of Christ. To realize the vision, mission, and principles above, the novices follow a program that entails daily, monthly and yearly activities. The daily program consists of praying, meditation, recollection, retreat and reflection, and also recreation, playing sports, and community service (taking care of the environment of the novitiate, inside and outside).
Another important part of the novices’ life is the study program or the teaching and learning process in the novitiate. The subjects taught in the novitiate are spirituality, Constitutions and statute of the Brothers CMM, vows, life – management, music and art, English and English conversation, Indonesian language, psychology, music of the liturgy, Biblical study and reflection, liturgy, catechesis, meditation and public speaking. During this period of formation the novices are accompanied by the brothers and also by lecturers from outside.
These five novices have learned in their 1st year to live as merciful brothers and they chose to continue to the second year novitiate. During the current pandemic of Covid-19 the novices cannot move to Pematang Siantar for their second year novitiate formation yet. They will move to Pematang Siantar as soon as the situation is safe again. In the meantime they will stay in the formation house for 1st year novices in Tomohon. The first year novice master and staff members have designed a special program for them so they can continue their formation.
Br. Agustinus Nai Aki CMM (Indonesia)