The Natural Next Step

He was just taking what seemed the natural next step, as our Postulant, Roger Stewart, described it. This is what he said about being clothed as a Novice in the Order of the Holy Cross, and we have to agree. The event happened on Wednesday, the 27th of April 2011, during Vespers in the Church of St. Peter on the Rock at Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery.

Present to witness this event were his sister, Joanne Bullock, and his good friend, Colleen Hart from St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, Linden, which was Roger's parish church when he lived in Johannesburg. Both Joanne and Colleen flew from Johannesburg on the Tuesday and stayed at the monastery for the week. Some other friends of Roger’s and the community’s who were in the vicinity joined us for Vespers as well. We also had some of the Associates from Grahamstown as well as members from three different Anglican religious communities with us.

So Roger was warmly surrounded by many who wished him well as he made his desire known to seek the mercy of God and of the Order and to live in love. As part of the ceremony, he received the white tunic, scapular and belt of the habit. He now wears the habit for all of the offices and services as well as when he represents the Order in any official way. So, in outward appearance, he took on a truly dramatic change in those circumstances, but none of us or his friends seemed surprised he was entering this new phase in his monastic formation.

We are so delighted that he has chosen to continue his vocation with us and look forward to seeing how he grows into the life of being a monk in the Order of the Holy Cross. His Novitiate is at least two years.

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