Nongpoh (India). On 7 October 2024, 17 young women entered the Postulancy of Nongpoh Saiden in Immaculate Heart of Mary Province (INS), welcomed by the Provincial, Sister Rosa Pyngrope.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine” (Is 43:1) is the theme that has accompanied the young women in the last three months of intense spiritual preparation for this day.
As a symbolic gesture, at the beginning of the ceremony each aspirant took a pencil and placed it at the feet of Jesus, to symbolize her spirit of abandonment, willingness to be held in the hands of God, to go through the process of sharpening and re-sharpening, to be the best masterpiece of God, just like a pencil in the hands of an artist. For them, it is a reminder that the process of conforming to the person of Christ requires openness and filial trust in Him who guards their future.
One of the postulants shared, “When I received the medal, I felt a bit troubled, a bit of fear and something inside me that I cannot express, but I felt really comforted by the Word of God: ‘Do not be afraid… I called you by name, you are mine’.”
Another postulant recounted, “I felt an uncontrollable joy in my heart at the thought of being called by the Lord to journey with Him. I felt that I had prepared enough with the help of the Sisters and the prayerful support of many, especially my parents. Looking back, I realize that it was not easy to make this choice. I had doubts and fears in accepting what was awaiting me, but the Word of God that we chose as our theme gave me great comfort, strength, and courage in responding to His loving invitation.”
The Sisters of the neighboring FMA communities, the aspirants, the Oratorian representatives, and the benefactors attended this simple but profound and joyful moment. It was a testimony to God’s abundant blessing on the Province and the Institute in general, through the gift of Salesian religious vocations of young women who have responded to the Lord’s invitation and wish to follow Him in the spirit of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
