03/02/2024
One of our own former Life Teen core leaders...
Congratulations Luke from your Holy Redeemer Parish family. May Jesus and our Blessed Mother continue to walk with you as you continue on your journey to priesthood.
Luke's reflection:
The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord
Investiture of the 12 Redemptorist Novices from Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the presence of Fr Titus the Mission Superior of Kenya, Fr Gideon our Novice Master, and Fr Isaac our Socius
It has been a long time coming, and a winding path to get here, but I am deeply happy that today I was invested today with the Redemptorist habit. During the ceremony, we took off a jacket (2), symbolising our old self, and we were given our habits (3), symbolising our new self. Of course our human nature is not as clear-cut as this, but I take this as a commitment to continually re-turn my gaze and path towards Christ in every moment of every day.
4. The Cincture (belt) is a symbol of purity, and we receive it with the words "Gird yourself with the purity of Christ and may Our Lady of Perpetual Help be your Mother and Guide". I pray that the purity of Christ may strengthen me on my journey, and for the accompaniment of Our Mother now and at the hour of my death.
5. The crucifix we receive is small (it fits in the palm of my hand) and sits in a hidden pocket of my habit, close to my heart. This is perhaps the most meaningful part of the habit for me, for it symbolises my hidden life of prayer and contemplation with Christ which will sustain my ministry.
In the sermon, Fr Titus explained to us how the consecration of our lives to God is like signing at the bottom of a blank page, and freely allowing God to write the story of our life on this page, following His will in all things. I hope to continue to have the courage to allow God to write on the page of my life.
For those wondering where our rosaries are - we still need to make them š
we should be wearing them within a week or two. And our Novitiate ends with our first profession of vows on the 6th August where I will formally consecrate my life to God within the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. It is a day I look forward to