1910 East Timor New members welcomed
austraLasia #1910

ITM's new East Timor members welcomed, and more to come

FATUMACA (TL): 25th July 2007 -- On the 24th July 2007, 6 Timorese young Salesians made their first profession after a year of formation in the Salesian Novititae at Fatumaca, East Timor. The Provincial, Fr. Andres Calleja, received them into the Salesian Congregation in the name of the Rector Major. The simple but well-prepared ceremony took place at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians during the Eucharist presided over by the Provincial himself and concelebrated by several priests. A large assembly of parents, relatives, benefactors, and members of the Salesian family (Sisters, ADMA, Past Pupils) was there to witness the event.
    The Provincial pointed out in his homily that as Don Bosco, more than a hundred years ago,  gathered young people who grew up in the Oratory under his fatherly care to form part of his new Congregation, so too young people continue to answer the call of continuing his charism for the young people of today. These young Salesians (Faustino Ximenes Belo, Filipe Francisco Simoes, Gersio Amaral, Joanico da Costa, Julio da Silva Mota, and Lucio Julio Guterres), generouly responded  to the call of the Lord to stay with Him and Don Bosco in a life consecrated for the mission of saving  souls and educating the young. Three of the new Salesians are students for the priesthood and three are Salesian Brothers. Three of them also applied for the missions in reply to the invitation of the Rector Major. They are ready to go where ever they may be needed. Their motto is: "You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you..." (John 15:16)
    The Provincial also thanked their Director of Novices, Fr. Ramoncito Padilla, who finished his third term, and Deacon Baltazar Pires, who for 35 years was in the Fatumaca Community and dedicated his life to the education of Timorese youth and the formation of future Salesians.
After the First Profession Ceremony, those who had gathered held a fraternal agape during which the newly professed briefly expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all those who in one way or another contributed to their formation as "shepherds and educators of the young."
Immediately after lunch, the newly professed left for Comoro, Dili, where they are to start the new post-novitiate community with their Salesian formators.
Meanhwile, in Fatumaca, the Lord continues to call .... 12 new novices began their year of formation under the guidance of the new Director of Novices, Fr. Virgilio do Carmo da Silva. The Rector of the Novitiate House, Fr. Rui Gomes, together with the Salesian Community, received them with joy.
   
 
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