The pealing of the bells signalled that the moment was finally here as Carmelite friars, sisters and pre-novices gathered for the celebration of another Mass in which five novices would profess first vows.

June 8, 2008 marked another milestone in the establishment of a Carmelite presence in Trinidad as Bro Nigel Ali O Carm of St James, Trinidad made his profession along with four novices from the Carmelite provinces in the United States.

The procession entered the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel to the melodious singing of Here I am Lord; a very appropriate hymn indeed for the occasion. Vietnamese, English and Spanish were the languages used in the celebration of the Mass expressing the international dimensions of the Carmelite Order.

The main celebrant was the Prior Provincial of the St Elias Province with the Prior Provincial of the PCM Province being a concelebrant and the homilist at the Mass.

The Provincial reminded the novices of the meaning of the vows they were about to profess and encouraged them to continue on their journey in Carmel. He also reminded them of the charism of the Order and the seriousness of the commitment they were about to make. 

Bro Nigel Ali (second from right) with his mother Christine Ali, pre-novice Sadique Samuel and Fr Gerard Tang Choon (right).

The novices were then examined for religious profession by the Celebrant and the responses to the questions were a resounding I DO. This was then followed by the novices placing their hands within the hands of their Provincial and professing the vows of poverty, chastity and poverty after which they were presented with a copy of the rule of St Albert. 

The novices were then clothed in the white cloak and capuche of the Order. This moment brought tears to the eyes of many in the congregation.

After the greeting of peace given to the newly professed by their Carmelite family, the Mass continued as usual with family members of the professed brothers presenting the gifts for the Eucharist. Included in this procession was Christine Ali the mother of Bro Nigel.

When communion was finished the Carmelite Family sang Flos Carmeli and then the procession left the Shrine singing Lead Me, Lord with the bells of the shrine pealing out the joy of the Order.

Outside the Shrine the brothers gathered for photos with family, friends and other friars and sisters. Present from the Carmelite Community in Trinidad were Fr Gerard Tang Choon O Carm and Sadique Samuel (pre-novice).

We congratulate Bro Nigel for taking this bold step in committing himself to the Church and to Carmel and pray that he will be blessed abundantly as he continues his formational journey. Thanks to Bro Nigel’s family for their generosity to the Church.

Bro Nigel returns to Trinidad and will join the Friars at St Michael’s Priory in Maracas Valley, St Joseph the local residence of the Carmelite Friars.