A Christmas of New Families: Nine Novices Reflect on Their First Season Away from Home at Tudella

Last Christmas marked a significant milestone for the young men studying to become Marist Brothers at the Tudella Novitiate, Sri Lanka - their first festive season away from family and friends, an experience that offered them a glimpse into life as a Brother. While religious life means being physically separated from one's birth family, it opens the door to forming many new families along the way - a core aspect of what it means to be a Brother to all.

The novices also traveled to the beautiful coastal city of Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.

We spoke to nine novices about their first Christmas away from home and what lies ahead as they prepare for life as Marist Brothers.

How was your holiday trip to Trincomalee?

Our recent trip to Trincomalee was truly a life changing experience. Together with my fellow novices and formators, we explored the breathtaking landscapes, stopping along the way to take photos, share laughter, and create memories that will last a lifetime. While not everything was perfect, as some had minor complaints about the rooms or the food, these small challenges reminded us to appreciate the bigger picture in our individual journeys.

I had the privilege of sharing a room with my friend Joy, a Charity Brother. We shared stories, respected each other’s space, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. This simple experience offered me a glimpse into how people can live, love, and work together in harmony.

Our first visit took us to the beach and the Buddhist temple perched on the rock, which was nothing short of breathtaking. I loved swimming and playing by the seaside. At the restaurant, the menu promised seafood and fried rice, and I was thrilled, only to discover that my meal arrived as fried rice with seafood mixed in. Even now, the word seafood brings a smile to my face, reminding me how expectations can sometimes surprise us in the most delightful ways.

On another day, we visited a different beach and had lunch at a Sisters' convent. The warmth of the Sisters' hospitality and the delicious food left a lasting impression. As we travelled along the roads, the sight of vast rice fields made me reflect on the dedication and hard work of farmers, prompting me to think of my own family and relatives.

The trip was a beautiful mix of joy, learning, and personal growth. Visiting the Hindu temple and other cultural sites gave me a deeper appreciation for different traditions and ways of life. Above all, this journey strengthened our bonds, allowing us to grow closer to one another and to the world around us.

Trincomalee will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of friendship, discovery, and the lessons we learn when we step outside our familiar surroundings.

By Benjamin Alua (PNG)

During our holiday in Trincomalee, we spent a few meaningful days together, visiting several beautiful and significant places. On the first day, we visited the beach, along with other important sites such as the Hindu temple, the hot water springs, the Buddhist temple, and a community of Sisters. Each visit enriched our experience and deepened our appreciation of the area’s cultural and religious diversity.

I felt truly happy and thankful to be together, sharing moments of joy and relaxation. One of the unforgettable highlights of the trip was enjoying delicious fried rice and fresh seafood together. Beyond the places we visited and the food we shared, what touched me most was the spirit of fraternity we experienced as Brothers. We understood one another better and shared love, care, and mutual support.

Our trip to Trincomalee was filled with happiness and wonderful moments that I will always cherish. I am deeply grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to strengthen our Brotherhood through this journey.

By Alfredo Quefi, Timor-Leste

How did you experience Christmas this year while being away from your family, country, and familiar traditions? What emotions or thoughts stayed with you most?

This year’s Christmas was very different from previous years, as it was my first time celebrating Christmas abroad, away from my family and my home country. It was a new and meaningful experience for me. I was curious to learn how Christmas is celebrated in Sri Lanka and how the Marist Brothers celebrate together in community.

Since childhood, I have always celebrated Christmas with my family in Timor-Leste. Our tradition begins with attending Mass, followed by a joyful celebration at home with relatives, friends, and neighbours. We share food and drinks, dance, sing karaoke, and enjoy being together throughout the day and night. It is a lively and communal celebration.

Here in Sri Lanka, the celebration is simpler. After Mass, we spend time in prayer, share a meal, and enjoy a few hours of fellowship before concluding the day. Although different from what I was used to, this experience helped me appreciate the beauty of simplicity and the richness of diverse cultural traditions.

Living in Sri Lanka has taught me the importance of openness and acceptance. Celebrating Christmas with the Marist Brothers allowed me to experience unity in diversity. I am especially grateful to the formators for allowing us to prepare our traditional food, which made the celebration more inclusive and meaningful.

I was deeply touched by the kindness and hospitality of the local people, whose warm smiles and welcoming hearts made me feel at home. Above all, this Christmas experience helped me grow in understanding, appreciation, and gratitude as I continue my journey of community living and cultural learning.

By Pedro dos Santos Gomes, Timor-Leste

My Christmas experience this year has been quite interesting, as it is one of my first times celebrating this special season in a new atmosphere with unfamiliar customs. In the past, Christmas for me was always centered on gathering with family and relatives. It was a time of reunion, when we came together to share love, joy, and togetherness.

This year, however, I am away from my family and the customs I am most familiar with. For the 2025 Christmas celebration, I had to adapt to the way others celebrate. From the days of preparation to Christmas Day itself, everything felt different. There were fewer visits, less movement, and a quieter atmosphere. This contrasts greatly with celebrations in my home country, where Christmas is the biggest and most joyful celebration of the year.

Back home, Christmas is marked by family parties, picnics, trips, and visits. People gather at beaches, churches, homes, and other relaxing places to celebrate together. Families travel from near and far to spend time with one another. Meals and drinks are shared generously, and visiting relatives and friends is an important part of the season. Joy, love, and happiness fill every corner.

Although this year’s celebration was different, it has been a meaningful experience for me. Celebrating Christmas with people from different backgrounds and customs helped me realize that Christmas is not limited to one place or one tradition. It is a celebration for everyone, expressed in many beautiful ways across cultures.

I feel grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience Christmas in a new way and with different people. At the same time, I cannot deny that I feel homesick and deeply miss my family, siblings, and friends. The emotions that stayed with me the most this Christmas are gratitude and homesickness—both reminding me of the value of community, love, and togetherness wherever we are.

By Orlando Teme, Timor-Leste

What was the most difficult moment for you during the Christmas or New Year season in the novitiate, and how did you try to face or pray through it?

During the Christmas and New Year season in the novitiate, I experienced both joy and challenges. One difficulty was culture shock, as living with people from different countries and backgrounds made me realise how different ways of celebrating, praying, and communicating can be.

Another challenge was adjusting to the structured life of the Marist Brothers formation house, which is very different from the flexible, community-oriented life in my village.

I also felt homesick, especially during Christmas, missing family, traditions, and the warmth of home celebrations.

Despite these challenges, I found strength through prayer and community support. Spending more time in personal and communal prayer, and participating openly in community life, helped me feel at home.

Encouragement from the brothers and fellow novices reminded me that God’s grace and the support of our Marist family can transform difficulties into opportunities for growth. This season helped me deepen my faith, acceptance, and commitment to my vocation.

By John Chipuruka, Solomon Islands

One of the most challenging moments for me at the beginning of this new year in the novitiate was entering into silence, following the tradition practiced by our early brothers in the Marist way. This was my first experience of such prolonged silence, and I initially felt disturbed, especially as the New Year is usually marked by excitement and outward celebration. Despite this inner restlessness, I made a conscious effort to fully engage in the moment and to faithfully observe the tradition handed down to us.

Our Founder, Marcellin Champagnat, embraced silence on the last day of the year, throwing himself into it with an open and grateful heart as he welcomed the New Year. Remembering his example encouraged me to persevere. Even though I was distracted by the surrounding environment and the usual movements of New Year celebrations, I became thankful for the silence. It allowed me to listen more deeply and to embrace stillness with gratitude.

This experience helped me reflect on the resilience, progress, and lessons that shaped the past twelve months, while turning with renewed purpose toward the opportunities of 2026. The transition into the New Year, though marked by inner disturbance, felt like an invitation—an invitation to carry forward gratitude for challenges overcome, to embrace curiosity in the face of what is yet to unfold, and to commit myself not merely to achievements, but to the cultivation of character, integrity, and a meaningful presence.

Although this journey is not without difficulty, it continues to challenge me to grow in all aspects of life, deepening my vocation and strengthening my commitment to the Marist path.

By Pedro N Coa, Timor-Leste

As you begin this New Year in the novitiate, what gives you hope and motivation to continue your Marist journey, despite the sacrifices of being away from home?

In this novitiate, my hope has become an active and intentional waiting, deeply personal and rooted in my life plan. I am not simply waiting for events to celebrate, such as Christmas or other occasions. Rather, I am learning to wait for God in the quiet of my own heart. This experience has been very helpful for me and for all of us, as it calls us to greater attentiveness in our journey. Our vocation is a place of encounter with the Lord, awakening each person toward fraternity and mission.

Our Founder reminds us that our mission is to build fraternity daily. As I look forward to beginning this year and continuing the journey with my fellow novices, I am inspired to build fraternity in a new hermitage and mission within our apostolic community. This journey invites me to rediscover the essentials of silence, prayer, presence, and humility, as the novitiate gradually becomes a way of life.

At the beginning of this year, my hope was renewed during our retreat, when Br. Angel presented the five calls through images. In a special way, I was drawn to the icon of Marcellin as a builder, the icon of mission, and the icon of vocation. These images continue to inspire and motivate me. My hope and motivation can be summed up in the words: “Journeying together as a global family,” as I continue my path as a Marist.

Hope is the virtue by which we trust that Almighty God will grant us eternal salvation and the grace needed to attain it.

By Felipe Seno, Timor-Leste

Since last year, I have been living my novitiate life, and I am deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to continue discerning my vocation within the Marist Brothers’ religious life. This journey has been a time of growth, not only in my vocation but also in my personal life, as I come to know myself better and gain greater clarity and confidence about my path.

Community life has been an important part of my formation. I try to participate actively in community activities with joy, openness, and honesty, learning each day how to support and grow with one another. Alongside this, my spiritual journey continues to deepen through personal prayer, community prayer, and accompaniment. While there are challenges and distractions at times, these experiences encourage me to remain positive, patient, and hopeful.

I carry in my heart a strong love for my family, friends, and home, and I am grateful for their support. At the same time, I trust in God’s plan and continue discerning this way of life with the brothers. This experience has strengthened my faith and helped me appreciate the value of community life, sacrifice, and commitment.

My desire is to continue discerning my call to become a Marist Brother, serving young people and others in need. Inspired by our founder, Saint Marcellin Champagnat, I hope to follow the way of Mary, serving with simplicity, humility, and love, and contributing to the Marist mission of education and service.

By Teweia Orea, Kiribati

As you prepare for your first profession, what feelings and challenges do you find yourself facing at this stage of your journey?

As I prepare for my first profession as a Marist Brother, I find myself experiencing mixed emotions—joy, gratitude, and moments of fear and concern. At times, I notice a sense of withdrawal within myself as I reflect deeply on this important step in my life.

During my retreat, I was able to rediscover the movement of my life journey throughout the different stages of formation. I reflected on both the challenges and the moments of contentment that I encountered along the way. As I come closer to profession, these experiences have helped me recognize how God has been patiently shaping me. Despite the trials I have faced, I feel a deep sense of joy and readiness to embrace this new journey of life.

There were many challenges throughout my formation, yet within these struggles I found growth and satisfaction. They helped me become more mature and gradually more independent. In the past, I often felt dependent on others, but now I recognize that I have grown in confidence and responsibility. The training and formation I received, together with the challenges I faced, strengthened my faith, and prepared me for the next step of this journey.

As I approach this new stage, I sometimes wonder what lies ahead and how I will live out this new life. Although these concerns remain, I entrust them to God. I may no longer be actively serving in specific tasks at this moment, but my heart is deeply attentive to God’s call. I desire to listen more closely and to learn how God is inviting me to serve Him and His people.

With humility and faith, I place myself in God’s hands. As I enter this new journey, I am ready to be guided according to His will, trusting that He who has begun this work in me will continue to lead me forward.

By Zakeu Sarmento Do Rego, Timor-Leste