LIFE IN THE NOVITIATE
The fifth in a series of articles by Leo Coshan, describing his experiences testing his vocation in the Societas Verbi Divini (S.V.D. Society of the Divine Word)

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Hello Ramblers. Greeting to all. It is GoodFriday. as I write this. When you read it we shall be approaching Ascension and then the"Feast of Pentecost. " St. John, in his Gospel, always considers the death of Jesus as his'hour of glory and that is how, as Christians, we share in the suffering of the Saviour. So, we shall soon be looking forward to celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit as we continue to rejoice in the victory of the the resurrection, as the Greeks would share with one (mother: 
'Christos anesthi; alethoo anesthi' (Christ is risen; indeed he is risen!.)
AUeluial

Somehow my last article seemed to be lngely illegible due to overprintIng. So, perhaps you will excuse me if I cover some ground again by way of a recapitulation. (Edltor's note: My copy was quite clear - if you have a spare copy of the last issue could the runners-off please send it to
Leo with this issue, also carefully hosen).  Our community, which consisted of thirteen last year, is now reduced to twelve. 0ne of the students decided to test his vocation with the police at Middlesborough. His job as sacristan has fallen to me. Our life as a community goes on with time seeming to whiz by. There's plenty to keep us all fully occupied.

First, let me give you an outline of our formation on the religious or spiritual plane, though I myself try not to divide the human being up into body and soul and spirit, preferring the concopt of the integrated person. We  have days of Recollection every quarter, Father Pat
Dyrne, one of our Directors of Vocations. led us in our last one giving us much food for, reflective prayer and prayerf'ul action on the theme of Chrlstian ministry. Three of us who are in the first year also receive oonferences on the Spirituality, of the·Founder, Arnold Jannsen. These are given by our rector. Father· Peter McHugh, and are of excellent. quality. The Daily
Office and Mass provid  outr sharing to the full in community life.

Since February we have also formed a prayer group. We meet o'n Friday eveningsat our house here in Cricklewood and alternately lately at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Willesden Green. The group is dedicated to our parish, St. Mary Magdalen, Willesden Green. Four of the community here, three of the Sisters and three or four from the neighbourhood make up the regulars. Our meetings are open to any who would care to come.

Though we live in community our pastoral activities keep us very outgoing. Several of us engage, in catechetics in neighbouring parishes, others are involved in the State Social Service and the Racial Justice Commission. There is always much to do and is easy for us to become too involved in the constant needs of people whom we meet, but we have to keep a balance, remembering that we are as yet students - theological students, as one of my confreres puts it
or seminarians, as might be more generally unierstood.

We do a lot of entertaining. Many. of our visitors are SVD missionaries on home leave calling at our London home and spending a few days with us. One Sunday recently we had a day for the promoters of 'The Word', a Divine Word magazine. It was very enjoyable both for our guests and for us the hosts. Many members of our fellow missionary societies call over and share a
meal and social conversation with us. We also visit their house accasionally, practising mutual hospitality. Many visitors have also been from our own personal friends and relatives. My brother and his family spent an evening here a few months ago. We are always pleased to
share what we have with those who would like to visit us.

There is a lot more I could write about our life in the SVD community here at Cricklewood
but I would like to mention SOD'C"':h,Li'18'something about the life at the Missionary lnstitute (MIL) before ending.The second semester of this present academic year will end in June. The three of us who are in our first year have been doing courses spanning five years: first year Church history, second year Scripture (The Synoptic Gospels), third year Doctrine (Christology). fourth year Scrtpture (Letters of St. Paul ) and fifth year Soclal Studies (Polit1cal problems in the Third World). We have lectures to atdlend every morning. We also have to attend to essays, seminars tutorial, oral exams, etc. Incidentally, I managed to pass my 'A' levels in eRligious Studies.

Arising out of our academic life at MIL we also try to take part in the lighter side of our being together. There are bihlical vigils, inter-Society nays of Recollection, cinema monthly or  fortnightly depending on who sponsors these, prayer groups at the White Fathers and in the neighbourhood of St. Joseph's, Mill Hill and, very importantly for most the MILSU (the Students'
Union of the MIL).

Well, friends, it is time to end. It was good to see many of you again at the few rambles that I've managed to make and at the Christmas Party and also at the day of Recollection at La Retraite, C'Lapham. I will join with all of us St. Francis ramblers in welcoming Rose-Marie Adams into
the Catholic Church - it was a great joy to be present at her reception on Saturday 24th January. May she continue to find joy in her sharing with us on rambles and on other occasions. We Christians do love one another 

Shalom and Joy in the Lord, who created the Church through the Holy Spirit; Come, Lord, and renew the face of the earth!

God's blessings to all,

LEO COSHAN, S.V.D.

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