Second Novitiate CIMAC: “Be it done unto me”

San José (Costa Rica). From 27 June to 28 July 2024, seven Temporary Professed Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the CIMAC Interprovincial Conference, coming from Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica lived the experience of the Second Novitiate in preparation for perpetual vows, at San José, at the seat of Our Lady of the Angels Province (CAR).

The main objective of this time, with the theme “Let it be done unto me” was to re-read in an attitude of discernment, one’s own vocational path to discover in the signs of life the living God who works in our own history. In a climate of prayer and reflection, the Temporary Professed deepened the experience of the spousal alliance with Christ and the community dimension of the FMA vocation.

The Second Novitiate also aims to renew the passion for young people to be, in the style of Mary, sign and mediation of the love of Christ the Good Shepherd. This process of renewal includes the comparison with the essential elements of the identity of the FMA and the “return to the first love”, according to the guidelines for the formation phase of Temporary Vows.

The topics covered were varied and enriching: the life of prayer of Saint Teresa and Saint Francis di Sales, the family spirit of Mornese and Valdocco, Profession as a covenant of love and the internalization of the spousal and faithful character of God according to the Ritual of the Profession, the Evangelical Councils in their psychological and charismatic dimension, the Marian identity of the FMA, and the presentation of the figure of Sister Maria Romero. Each of these themes is followed by a day of silence and personal reflection called Valponasca, to internalize what we received, reflect on, evaluate, and integrate these teachings in the personal life plan of each one.

In a climate of prayer and reflection, lived with joy and fraternity, the Temporary Professed, leaving aside their usual activities, re-examined their lives in the light of the Holy Spirit, preparing to make more definitive their response of fidelity to God in the Institute. This intense and profound experience allowed them to reaffirm their vocation and renew their commitment to the mission of being signs of Christ’s love for young people, inspired by the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.

At the end, the Sisters expressed deep gratitude for the gifts of grace received during this month. They thanked for the simple fraternity shared among them, the warm welcome in every house visited, the joy of the encounters with the Lord and the mission that God entrusts to them today and always. The Second Novitiate was therefore an opportunity to “rejoice in God” and to renew the commitment to the FMA vocation and mission.

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