Novitiate at Saint Jean's
Two novices of the American Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began their novitiate at Saint Jean Baptiste on Saturday morning, September 8, 2007, in a simple ceremony during Mass in the community's house chapel, at which Father Norman Pelletier, Provincial Superior of the Province of Saint Ann, officiated and preached.
They are Brother Peter Harley, from Lower Manhattan, and Brother James Owens, from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Brother Peter taught for a dozen years in the New York City Public Schools, and Brother James practiced law. Their Director is Brother Michael Perez.
The novitiate experience, which lasts two years, focuses on prayer, spirituality, the common life, the history of the vowed religious life, and the Eucharistic charism and mission of the Congregation. During the first year, known as the "canonical year," the novices take part in weekly classes with novices of other men's and women's religious orders from throughout the area as well as programming specifically designed for them as prospective members of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. In the second year, they are sent on several short mission experiences elsewhere and return to New York City occasionally to process these. At the end of the novitiate, if they so choose and are accepted, they profess first vows of poverty, chastity in the celibate state, and obedience. These vows are renewed annually until final profession.
Saint Jean Baptiste was the first foundation of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in the United States, opening in 1900.