austraLasia #3254
PERSEVERANCE, A GIFT OF
GOD! (ITM)
JAKARTA
(INDONESIA) August 1, 2013- Today, is another day of
rejoicing for the Salesian Delegation of Indonesia, ITM. Three
months ago, two Indonesian Salesians received their priestly
ordinations. A few days ago, on the 24th of July a group of
seven made their first profession and another group of seven
started their Novitiate. Today is a day of gratitude to the
Lord for the perseverance of 11 young Salesians (10 Clerics
and 1 Salesian Brother) who renewed their profession, and 3
Salesian Brothers who made their perpetual profession.
At 06.00 in the morning, the Provincial of the ITM
Vice-Province Province, Fr. João Paulino Aparicio
Guterres presided over the Mass to receive the renewal of vows
made by 11 postnovitiate confreres. In his homily Fr. Matius
Sudiantoro, Rector of the Postnovitiate, commented on the
readings of the day (Thursday of the XVII Week of the Year;
Gospel: Matt. 13:47-53) saying that those renewing the
profession were like fish collected in the net, the good ones
taken and chosen to be sent and become signs and bearers of
God’s love.” He urged them to take care of the gift in order
to remain always a gift to others.
Then at 06.00 in the evening, the Rite of Perpetual Profession
was held during the Holy Mass presided over again by Fr.
Provincial. It was celebrated in the Parish Church of St. John
Bosco, Danau Sunter, Jakarta. Several Salesian priests
concelebrated. A large number of parents, relatives,
benefactors, religious men and women, young people and
parishioners thronged to the Parish in order to witness the
great event. The Provincial Delegate, Fr. Yohanes
Boediharardjo Soerjonoto delivered an inspiring homily
commenting on the Gospel Reading (John 15:9-17): “The Lord
said ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s
life for one’s friends.’ May the love of the three Salesian
Brothers making their perpetual profession today be as radical
as that of the three martyrs of Turin: Avventor, Solutor and
Octavius (who died in the very spot where Don Bosco built the
Basilica of Mary Help of Christians), in their definitive
commitment to live the evangelical counsels and work
tirelessly for the salvation of the young up to their last
breath like Don Bosco who said, ‘For you I study, for you I
work. For you I live, for you I am ready even to give my
life.” (Constitutions SDB 14).
After the Litany of the Saints, Salesian Brothers Yasinto
Noronha, Lusianus Kelo and Yulius Eliseus Nuwa Owa made their
perpetual profession, reading the official formula that they
themselves have written and signed. Fr. Provincial received
them in the name of the Rector Major, witnessed by Fr. Jose
Carbonell Llopis -the pioneer of the Salesian missionary work
in Indonesia, and Bro. Adriano de Jesus.
After the Perpetual Profession Ceremony, those who had
gathered held a fraternal agape during which the Brothers
expressed to everyone the joy and gratitude they felt in their
hearts for a day never to be forgotten.