The community of Baucau prayed for the Eternal Rest of Fr. Dino

By FR. Joao da Costa Boavida, SDB

Baucau, Timor-Leste, 25 September 2018 -- In the afternoon of the 25th of September, the Salesians of Don Bosco of Baucau Community, Salesian sisters, other members of the Salesian family and the young people of Salesian Youth Movement, students of St. Anthony Secondary school and the Canossian boarding house girls gathered in the parish church of Santo António de Padua Baucau to celebrate a funeral Mass in remembrance of Fr. Dino Donaggio, SDB, who passed away on September 3, 2018 in Italy.

Fr. Dino was a missionary for many years in Timor-Leste. Most of his missionary life in Timor-Leste he dedicated for the Mission in Baucau and Fatumaca.

Once upon a time, he was also a parish priest of Santo António de Padua Parish of Baucau. For this reason, the community of Baucau decided to remember him in a special Eucharistic celebration.

The Mass was presided by Fr. Agnelo Eduardo Jerónimo Moreira, SDB. In the homily Fr. Manuel da Silva Ximenes, SDB, the parish priest recalled the particular and shining virtue of Fr. Dino. He was known to be music instructor, Latin teacher and a priest with missionary zeal who was ready to endure all inconveniences for the sake of saving souls and services rendered to the poor and the little ones. He invited the assembly to learn and emulate the example of simplicity of Fr. Dino. He lived austere and simple life. A motorbike was sufficient for him to carry out his mission through thin and thick.

The celebration continued with procession to the nearby public cemetery where there is the tomb of Fr. Jose Rolla Correia, SDB, a missionary who passed away more than 50 years ago. Then, all those present prayed the rosary, put flowers and light candles in the tomb of Fr. Jose Correia while remembering Fr. Dino Donaggio. The celebration terminated with simple snacks held in the cemetery.

---

---