Giving public witness to Christ means not only giving testimony of one’s personal relation to Him but also of the Charism of the Idente Missionaries; that is what it meant for Ditto Subin Wilson M.Id, who professed his perpetual profession in the city of New York. From a small fishing village called Idindakari, Tamil Nadu, India, Subin heard the call of Christ to become ‘fisher of men’ and started following Him in the Idente Charism. After 12 years of perseverance Ditto Subin Wilson, M.Id, professed perpetual vows as an Idente Missionary of Christ the Redeemer at the Our Lady of Solace Church on Morris Park Avenue in the Bronx, on October 23, 2021, Saturday, in an evening Mass.
“For me, it was a day full of joy and prayers. As I was preparing myself to say yes to God by declaring my final profession in front of many people, especially young people, I was assured by their presence of the closeness of God in my life. I was able to realize the purpose of my profession and the plan of God in my life. I understood it was an important moment to witness Christ to others and not only of my relationship with Him but also of the Charism of the Idente Missionaries.”
Although Subin’s family could not physically be present in the ceremony, they witnessed it in live streaming and blessed him in his vocational affirmation. He says, “I believe that this moment was the fruit of my perseverance and fruit of the prayers of many who planted the seed in my life to be a missionary. Among them are my wonderful parents and my siblings. Even though my family could not be present, in person, at the celebration, they were able to witness through the live stream, through which they united with me in spirit. Nevertheless, I was comforted by the presence of the parishioners, teenagers, young adults and friends who accepted and supported me as one more in the family from the day I arrived in New York”. Bro. Subin is a fourth-year seminarian at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York.
Fr. Fernando Real, M.Id, Vice General Superior of the Idente Missionaries, received, on behalf of the President of the Idente Missionaries, Bro. Subin’s profession of vows. In his homily Fr. Fernando spoke of Subin’s youth, his family, and his dedication to his parish in his village, Idindakari, Tamil Nadu, India. Fr. Fernando also mentioned that a vocation is a gift of God, that it begins as a mustard seed and grows with one’s response to the call.
Leading the entrance procession were the Daughters of Mary, a prayer group of girls, followed by about 50 altar servers dressed in their white robes. Fr. Robert Badillo, M.Id, pastor of the parish and Provincial Superior of the United States, welcomed all and thanked Fr. Fernando for his presence and all the other eight concelebrant priests that included Fr. Michael Bruno, Dean of Seminarians of St. Joseph Seminary; Fr. Richard Veras, Director of Pastoral Formation, as well as seminarians; and Sr. Elaine Schenk, M.Id, Provincial Superior of the United States. The church was full of parishioners and friends, among them religious sisters from several congregations. Following the Mass, a reception was held in the gym of Our Lady of Solace School, with over two hundred in attendance.
