Mary Help of Christians Parish, Comoro-Dili, Timor-Leste, 15 August 2021 -- The Salesian congregation of TLS vice-province anticipated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the ordination of 3 deacons to holy orders by His Grace Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva as the ordaining prelate. The three new Salesian priests are Fr António Guterres, Fr Celestino da Costa, Fr Victor Da Cunha.

Along with the congratulations we heap on them for beginning this Sacred Ministry let us continue to pray for them, as Fr Celestino Da Costa (one of the newly ordained priests) requested in his thanksgiving speech.

We also pray for their continued fidelity to their vocation and the utmost zeal in their ministry. May God shower them with the necessary graces they need in fulfilling their Sacred Duty in imparting God’s blessings to others, especially to the poorest.

The celebration began with the cultural ceremony which was then followed by the Holy Eucharist. In His homily, Archbishop Virgílio Do Carmo conveyed the importance of the priests in the community to be the channel of God’s Grace to His People. Aside from this, His Grace also explained the dogma on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; from its history to the Dogma itself. The Archbishop also encouraged them as they become ALTER CHRISTI to always show the Face of Jesus in every encounter they have in their ministry in sanctifying God’s holy people.

The ceremony concluded with a grand reception held in the post-novitiate community, Comoro-Dili.