Historic Novitiate Year

Right to Left: José Antonio (Pepe) Zamudio (M), Marco Sierra (M), Juan Gabriel Galvis (C), P. Javier Higuera CSB, Asistente Director de Novicios, Jose Enrique Hoyos (C), Alejandro (Alex) Balderas (M), Walter Martínez (M), Osvaldo García (M), P. Pablo Walsh CSB, Director de Novicios, Luis Alberto Rodríguez (M), Luis Manual (Luisma) Gonzaga (M), José Raúl Zarama (C)

For the first time, the Mexican and Colombian novices have commenced a common novitiate year at Casa San Filipe, Mexico. Historically, the two always been separate novitiates.  This change was sparked by the Basilian Latin American Summit in 2021 where the Congregation affirmed the importance of activities for working together to break down the barriers that have separated the Mexican and Colombian communities.

The novitiate year is a year of serious formation for men who wish to become Basilian priests.  The novices will spend a year devoted to prayer, religious formation, study and reading of spiritual authors, study of scripture, a careful training in the contents of the Basilian Way of Life and the Basilian Customs, daily Eucharist, recreation together, manual labor, and living in Basilian community.

This begins a “new history” of the Congregation where The Basilians in both countries will strengthen and enhance the gifts they already have, as well as respond in new ways with new endeavors.