I had an opportunity to listen to my brothers who are
leaving the novitiate. They shared their own experiences from when they were living
in the community. Most of them had used different images to share their ideas. Using
images is one of the useful tools for giving a talk. Everyone who listened to
them could easily understand their sharing.
One novice used the image of the olive tree which he
saw in the garden. He said the community is like a tree with the same trunk and
different branches. Everybody who heard him could relate this idea to the passionist
life. We have the same trunk which is our charism. It was founded by Saint Paul
of the Cross and spread out to all people who follow him. Each of us is a
different branch which has an individual character. As an audience, I could relate
my three years in temporary profession. I am a new branch which grows
from an old trunk. I am learning to mature in the strength of my brothers who
go ahead of me.
How can we describe the
year of novitiate? The image of the house could be a good start. To build a
house, we should have a strong foundation. Several novices used this image to
tell about the 12 months since they came to Adelaide. They had strengthened
their religious life in the strongest foundation which is called novitiate.
They can stand firm in the future because it was built on the best year of
their religious life. They should buy more material to keep building their
house but it will never collapse by a strong storm or high flood. They can face
difficulties and challenges in their lives because they are rooted in the
eternal ground.
To illustrate the
difference in the community, I gave an image of many rough stones which have
been mixed together. The stones all crash into others when they are put in the
same place and shaken. A stone that is
carved by another stone will become smooth. It will bring a comfortable feeling
for those who touch it. At the end of the novitiate, each novice became a beautiful
stone which is opened to challenge and growth. They are really fruitful in
their special year.
By listening to these images,
I gain a lot of experience from their stories. I learn to appreciate what they have.
I also discovered a visual way to express my ideas by using different images. I
am really sure that they will have great lives ahead and bring their gifts to
share and to be with others.
I think the man is a symbol an Asian farmer who has to
work hard on the farm from a young age. His skin is wrinkled by time under strong
heat of a tropical country but he keeps a smile in his face. He seems to have a
happy life even he is not very wealthy. Dressing in simple clothes and a normal
hat, he could belong to the type of person who do not want to stand out or he
could not get a better dress. I experience that farmers have to work endlessly
in the field. They become a part of nature which makes them live in harmony
with animals and plants. They always try to smile to forget their tiring of
physical work and to enjoy their lives. The old farmer delights viewers when
they look at his face in the photo. 
