Two men from Ghana on Wednesday made “a rare first profession” as Presentation Brothers in Killarney, Co Kerry, during a multicultural ceremony.First professions involve the taking of the vows of poverty, chastity and silence.
Callistus Nero (28), who has a degree in science, and Augustine Dassah (29), a welder, are among an Irish and international community of eight studying at the Presentation Brothers Novitiate in Killarney.
Brothers Callistus and Augustine have been studying at the Killarney novitiate since April as part of the final stage of their training, the ceremony heard.
The vows were taken by them at the Franciscan Friary in Killarney.
Primary school pupils and the principal of the “Mon”, as the all-boys school is known, were there, along with the congregation leader of the Presentation Brothers in Ireland, Brother Martin Kenneally, clergy from Ireland and Kenya, clergy based in India and elsewhere and many locals.
Starting the proceedings, Brother Richard English said the opening of the novitiate in Killarney in 2009, where nine novices had been welcomed in the past three years, gave “hope to not only the Presentation Brothers in Killarney but also to the wider community”.
Brother Barry Noel, the novice master for the Presentation Brothers in Killarney, said first professions were rare in Ireland.