The Hawaii Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on Feb. 10 welcomed five “associates,” lay persons who share in the mission and ministry of the order, in the St. Anthony Retreat Center chapel in Kalihi Valley.

Adelino Vares, Lamberto Galman, Joseph Terry Sr., Salve Regina Galman and Linda Susan Madamba made the commitment to “consecrate myself, my home and my family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

The ceremony was the culmination of two years of candidacy during which the five new members walked through the steps of “inquiry” and “orientation.” Through a series of meetings, they learned the spirituality, history, mission and works of the congregation, and lived the roles and responsibilities of being an associate.

At the Feb. 10 commitment ceremony, in addition to consecrating themselves to the Sacred Hearts, they promised to spend time in adoration and prayer and pledged to do service for the church or their local parish.

Provincial Father Christopher Keahi and vicar provincial Sister Regina Mary Jenkins officiated at the ceremony of reception. The formal business closed with the singing of the Sacred Hearts anthem — “To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, honor and glory, honor and glory…” — followed by a grand dinner attended by more than 35 associates and many Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.

According to the director of the associates, Sister Anne-Marie Tamanaha, there are about 60 active associates in Hawaii. They meet on the second Sunday of every month for adoration and to listen to a guest speaker.

For more information about the associates, call Sister Anne-Marie at 734-2048.