Five novices in the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province (UCS) have pronounced their first vows.

The men took their vows in the middle of a Eucharistic celebration at St. Charles Borromeo church in Grand Coteau, a release issued on the Jesuits Central and Southern website reported.

Pronouncing their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Reynaldo Belfort, Timothy Bishop, Travis Crowe, Brent Gordon and Joseph Nolla have proclaimed to follow and serve Christ and the Church from now on.

The Rev. Thomas Greene presided over the ceremony and exhorted the new Jesuits to listen to the voice of God, pray, serve and remember God’s love for them.

All five novices had been in their program for two years before they were seen fit to take vows of devotion and service.

“There is a palpable courage present in these men as they take that leap of faith and profess first vows,” the Rev. Drew Kirschman said in the release. “They profess them before the Eucharist and the community of faith, showing their desire to live as companions of Jesus.”

Belfort, who is from San Juan, Puerto Rico, took the cross of the Rev. Maurice Murray. “[Murray's] life always seemed to move toward a concern and passion for racial equality. No matter the culture he encountered, he let himself become part of [it]," Belfort said in the release.

Bishop took the cross of Clyde Croy. “Brother Croy was known as a humble and devout Jesuit at the service of his brother Jesuits and the people of God,” Bishop said.

Crowe took the cross of the Rev. Ralph Renner. [Renner’s] “involvement and study of music throughout his Jesuit life inspires me to use my own talents and gifts as a musician in service of God’s people,” Crowe said.

Gordon took the crucifix of George Murphy, because he looked up to his kindness as a Jesuit brother.

Finally, Nolla took the cross of an unknown Jesuit. [An anonymous cross is] “a reminder to me that my Jesuit life is not about my legacy, that I can work in the Kingdom of God without even the honor of being remembered,” he said.

Having professed their vows, the five will now proceed on to first studies, which will take three years at a Jesuit institution of higher education.