Newly received novices, Joseph Tri, Nigel, Joseph Khoa, and Vincent Phuong, David, and Erick.

The Very Reverend John Welch, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, began his homily during Vespers on Sunday evening, June 10, welcoming the six men entering the novitiate. Noting that this year the Order celebrates our 800th year, with a smile he welcomed the 800th class of Carmel. He noted that novitiate year is one to investigate the Order’s charism, and that this time is a great gift given to these men by the Church and the Order—a whole year for prayer, discernment and self-examination. After the homily these six then received the Carmelite habit and were officially welcomed into the novitiate.

The two North American Provinces, the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) and the Province of Saint Elias (SEL), have a combined novitiate program which is located in Middletown, New York. The men beginning the novitiate are David Balok (PCM), Erick Saint John (PCM), Nigel Ali (SEL), Vincent Phuong Nguyen (SEL), Joseph Khoa Hoang (SEL), and Joseph Tri Phan (SEL).