Inside Life at Marist Novitiate, Tudella, Sri Lanka: Four Novices Share Their Journey
- maristbrothers
- Jun 18
- 7 min read
The Marist Novitiate in Tudella, Sri Lanka, is more than a formation house - it is a vibrant, international home where young men from across Asia and the Pacific begin their formal journey into Marist religious life. Rooted in prayer, community, and simplicity, life at Tudella invites each novice to grow in faith while being immersed in the Marist charism and spirit.
This year, the place hosts 16 first-year novices who have responded generously to God’s call. Coming from diverse backgrounds, they bring with them a beautiful mix of cultures, languages, and experiences - a living expression of our global Marist family. As they enter their fourth week at the novitiate, the community is already enriched by their presence and the unique gifts they each contribute.
The 2025 novices come from the following countries:
8 from Timor-Leste
2 from Papua New Guinea
1 from the Solomon Islands
1 from Kiribati
1 from Bangladesh
1 from Vietnam
1 from India
1 from Sri Lanka
Their experience is already proving to be both enriching and challenging. Several have shared honest and heartfelt reflections on their first weeks - navigating new cultures, adjusting to different foods, and facing the very real experience of homesickness. These early moments, though not always easy, are shaping them in powerful ways.
Read four of our novices’ journeys in their own words - a glimpse into the joys, questions, and transformation that come with saying “yes” to the Marist way of life.
John Chipuruka, Solomon Islands
On 2 May, 2025, I arrived in Sri Lanka to begin my novitiate journey. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience for me as I encountered new people, different languages, cultures, and ways of life. However, this also came with a sense of cultural shock, and I felt a little homesick at first.
Despite these feelings, I was reminded of my discernment and the deep desire I have to become a Marist Brother. I reflected on my past experiences at home and the formation program I've been part of for almost eight years with the Marist Brothers. These thoughts gave me strength and a renewed sense of purpose.
During my first two weeks as a novice, I discovered many things that brought me hope and comfort. One important discovery was the value of silence. I began to cultivate silence, which helped me to develop my inner life and to form deeper, more heartfelt relationships with my brothers. Silence also made me more aware of myself and my surroundings, and it created the space I needed for prayer, work, and rest.
I also experienced how the novitiate programme is helping me grow in human, Christian, and Marist virtues. It is guiding me to integrate these values more fully into my daily life.
As a novice, my main aim is to keep learning and growing. I want to learn new skills such as computer literacy and improve my English. I also want to deepen my prayer life and prepare for further studies, because in the future, I hope to become a teaching Brother.
Abraham Jeremiah, PNG
My journey to Sri Lanka for the novitiate was long and tiring, filled with many new experiences. At first, I was very happy and excited to explore a new place. When I arrived, everything was unfamiliar to me, and it was quite difficult to adapt to the flow of the community schedule. The people, the type of food, and the weather were challenging at first.
After a few days, I began to discover and adjust to this new way of life. The process is still continuing, and I understand that adapting fully will take more time.
We have a good number of candidates here, many of whom I shared good experiences with during postulancy. The positive spirit we had continues as we work together, support each other when in need, and grow through formation. This gives me strength and comfort as I continue my journey.
I am slowly adjusting and becoming more comfortable with the situation. I look forward to discovering this new chapter in a positive way. I also hope to find enough time for personal prayer and to be more present in our shared work.
This is a good and enriching experience, filled with both challenges and successes, as I gradually discover more about my journey.
Teweia Orea, Kiribati
At the beginning when I arrived in Sri Lanka to begin the novitiate program, I was filled with joy to meet new brothers and some of my fellow postulants from other countries. When we arrived at our formation house, I was excited and looked forward to the days ahead.
The next day, I enjoyed the conversations we shared as we got to know each other and shared our stories - for example, talking about our journeys and how we came together.
Later, during the orientation retreat, I enjoyed learning about each other's cultures and life experiences. The retreat also helped us understand the structure of the novitiate program before we officially began.
It was a meaningful time that allowed us to bond and prepare ourselves spiritually and mentally.
During the induction ceremony, I felt very happy and excited to receive the Marist cross, which symbolised my transition to the next stage of my formation journey.
In addition, I felt encouraged to deepen my relationship with God through community prayer and personal reflection.
Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, I initially found it difficult to sleep due to the seven-hour time difference from Kiribati. I also found it challenging to walk or work alone because there are many snakes in our area, which made me cautious.
The orientation retreat gave me a good foundation to reflect on my goals and how to work toward them. From the beginning of my vocational journey until now, I have been encouraged to continue developing my spiritual life and relationship with God, deepening both my personal and community prayer life.
My hopes for this novitiate journey are to deepen my relationship with God and with the members of my religious community. I aim to grow in faith and spirituality, to develop a deeper understanding of the Holy Bible, and to faithfully live out the vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.
Benjamin Alua, PNG
Since I first began this journey, I flew from my home province to Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, before heading to Sri Lanka. At the airport, I felt worried about leaving my family and friends behind - especially my dad and my elder sister, Joicy. This worry was even heavier because my mother passed away on 14 August 2024, just one week after I had arrived in Timor-Leste to begin my postulancy program.
It was a deeply painful time, and it made me question my vocation journey. Despite the sorrow and doubt, I didn’t give up and managed to complete the program.
During my holiday break, I visited my mother’s burial site. That moment brought renewed pain and emotional strain. I even considered not continuing on to the Novitiate. But in the midst of that struggle, I reminded myself that “life is full of both pain and joy.” With patience and awareness, I chose to accept the challenges because I truly want to follow my dream of becoming a Marist Brother.
With these positive thoughts, I embraced the situation and came to Sri Lanka to begin my Novitiate. Before I left, I shared a final message with my family: “Let us continue to pray for one another, and God will take care of the rest.” At that moment, I felt a deep sense of peace, confidence, and courage.
I arrived in Sri Lanka with a joyful heart and a positive spirit. Traveling with my fellow Novices - Teweia from Kiribati, John from the Solomon Islands, and Abraham from PNG - was a tremendous experience. We laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed the journey together.
When we arrived in Colombo, I was both excited and curious to experience a new culture and way of life.
Within two days, the Brothers took us around the city, showing us the streets and a Buddhist temple. I enjoyed learning about different cultures, though I found the food very spicy and the presence of so many different religions quite eye-opening. This cultural experience, including the people I met, the new foods, and the different customs, gave me a better understanding of the world. It helped me see that even when lifestyles differ, we can still learn and grow through new experiences. Although I had a headache and felt a bit homesick at first, I accepted it as a part of life, took medicine, and recovered quickly.
One of the most fascinating aspects of my experience so far has been the culture. Every country has its own traditions, but Sri Lanka’s culture feels especially complex and unique - especially the food and religious practices like those at the Buddhist temple. Though challenging at first, these differences have helped me grow and develop a deeper understanding of life.
More importantly, during my two weeks at the Novitiate formation center, I have already noticed how much I am growing in faith and spirituality through prayer and personal reflection. The formation program is not only about study; it also includes recreation, outdoor walks, computer time, and opportunities for rest. It requires each person to wisely manage their time. I believe this balance will help shape me into a mature man - both spiritually and physically.
Community life here is also very meaningful. Sharing prayers, meals, and celebrations together as Brothers gives me a sense of peace and confidence. It has created a supportive environment where I feel free to continue discovering myself and deepening both my spiritual life and personal well-being. I feel hopeful about my journey as a Marist Brother, strengthened in faith and committed to the mission ahead.
With this spirit, I look forward to continuing my formation, especially growing in prayer and learning more about theology. I hope this will prepare me well for my mission as a Marist Brother after my profession and studies are complete.
Finally, after completing my Novitiate, I hope to make my first profession as a Marist Religious Brother. I will wait patiently for Br Peter Carroll, our Provincial, to decide when I can take the next step.
Special thanks to Br Luke Fong, Formator in Sri Lanka, for helping to facilitate the stories and photos.
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