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!
