English 
Pope Francis in a conversation with Andrea Tornelli said, “The name of God is mercy.” Further in the same conversation the Pontiff mentioned, “Yes! I believe that this is a time of mercy. Our era is a kairós of mercy, an opportune time.”
With these sentiments of Gods mercy our two novices: Cynthia Teola and Angela Mondo, the fruits of the soil of PNG, on the Solemnity of the Divine Mercy Sunday, which was on 11 April 2021, at 10.30, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Alotau, made their First Profession, during the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev. Rolando Santos, the Bishop of Alotau, along with two PIME fathers.
Bishop Ronaldo in his homily invited the congregation gathered and most specially the two candidates to become the messengers of Mercy. In the contemporary pandemic reality of the wounded world, he exhorted us to become ever more channels of Mercy and compassion to humanity.
The poignant moment of the celebration was when the relatives of the novices walked towards the altar and symbolically stripped the cultural attire they had put on– a sign of detachment. Followed by Sr. Vimala Francis, the Province leader approaching them and putting on veil and chain with a cross – a sign of Acceptance to MSI family.
The Congregation present was overwhelmed to see the courage and the grace on the faces of the newly professed. Many witnessed this ceremony for the first time and were touched by the sentiments of both the candidates and their families.
For the youth it was a moment, to sink into themselves and to reflect upon the voice of God, that whispers to them. Many mothers expressed their desires to inculcate in their children the love for missionary vocation. The culmination of the celebration was a sumptuous meal that enhanced the unity between the parish community and those who were present.
Sr. Anju Joseph, PNG
