(l-r back row) DENA Visitor Bro. Dennis Malloy, Bro. Tom Jones,
Midwest Visitor Bro. Frank Carr
(l-r front row) David Deradoorian, Roberto Martinez, Tony Elfering, Tom Wegesin
Four postulants made their promises at Jeremy House in Philadelphia, PA October 3.
Three new postulants who joined in August made their first promises: Tom Wegesin (Midwest), Roberto Martinez (San Francisco), and David Deradoorian (DENA). Tony Elfering (Midwest), who joined in August 2008 and is in the final portion of his postulancy, renewed his promises. Brothers attended from each of the home Districts of the postulants.
The promises are one year commitments to chastity, obedience, and poverty. Postulancy is the formation stage prior to the Novitiate, which is the formal year of preparation to become a Brother. Postulants live in a formation community with Brothers. They pray, study the Catholic faith, scripture, and St. John Baptist de La Salle, and learn to integrate faith, service and community. They also participate in Lasallian ministries. At the end of the postulancy, they discern their call to the Brothers’ life to decide if they are ready for the Novitiate.