Today, feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, was an important one for Notre Dame Priory. This afternoon, just before First Vespers of the Ascension, Father Prior welcomed officially as postulants Tomas Cannavo (Adelaide), Alec Hobbs (Brisbane), David McMahon (Sydney) and Graham Leach (Brisbane). The four men have just completed three months of aspirancy and have decided to take the next step and actually enter monastic life. A big step for each one of them, and also for their loved ones at home. Postulancy, like novitiate, of course involves no commitment on behalf of the candidate, but the significance of the moment is actually stepping into the community life and asking to begin formal initiation as a monk. As a concrete sign of their desire to pursue this path, they all were shorn of their hair, in the hope of being clothed with the Benedictine habit a few months down the road. Father Prior entrusts them, each and all, to your good prayers, thanking Our Lady for this special gift on her feast day.
