3271 Sacerdotal Ordination in East Timor (ITM)
austraLasia #3271

 

Sacerdotal Ordination in East Timor (ITM)

FATUMACA (TIMOR LESTE) 24 August, 2013- Today, two Salesian Deacons were ordained priests on the feast of the Apostle St. Bartholomew, in Fatumaca (East Timor). They are João Pereira Gaspar and Amarianto Adorado. The ordination was conferred by the diocesan bishop of Baukau, Mgr. Basilio do Nascimento. The Mass was celebrated in the open air. More than three thousand faithful packed the square in front of the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians to attend mass. Majority of those present were the members of the Salesian Family: the Salesians, FMA, our students, Salesian Cooperators, ADMA, past pupils and DBV.

The new priest Amarianto Adorado was born in Baucau, 16 September 1983. Since middle school, he had lived with the Salesians in the pre-aspirantate School in Venilale (East Timor). He then continued his education at the Salesian aspirantate in Fatumaca. He became a Salesian in 2003, made his philosophical studies in Jakarta (Indonesia) and studied theology at the St. Thomas Theological Institute in Messina (Italy). While the priest João Gaspar was born in Uatocarbau, January 21, 1983. He met the Salesians through the oratory. Became a Salesian in 2003, he made his philosophical studies also in Jakarta and continued his theological formation in Paranaque (Philippines). Their chosen motto was taken from the Gospels: "Abide in my love" (John 15:9).

In his homily, Mgr Basil took insights from the call of St. Bartholomew. He emphasized the personal aspect of vocation. "The following of Christ must be born from a personal encounter with Him," said the prelate. Then in the end he left, as a reminder to the two new priests, a thought taken from St. Augustine where the saint had said that being a priest is like the road that you forget when you reach the goal, Jesus Christ.

Before the final blessing, the new priest João Gaspar thanked all those who had contributed in the course of their formation. The Provincial, Fr. João Paulino also took the opportunity to thank the bishop, the relatives of the newly ordained and the new priests.

Congratulations to Fr. João Gaspar and Fr. Amarianto Adorado!