By Fr Joao Costa, SDB

Dili, Timor-Leste. 1 May 2017 -- On the occasion of the celebration of the day of St. Joseph the worker, the Salesians of the Vice-province of Timor-Indonesia with the entire Salesian family were blessed with the perpetual profession of two Salesian brothers namely, Bro. Filipe da Conceição, SDB and Bro. Josafat Tanio Oliveira Neto Fraga, SDB. The celebration of perpetual profession was held in Mary Help of Christian Parish Church Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste. The celebration started at 08.30 am with the traditional parade of the two brothers from the community of Don Bosco Center for Professional Formation together with their families and loved ones towards the parish Church. The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided by the Superior of the vice-province Fr. Apolinario Hornai Neto, SDB. Good numbers of Salesian family members and young people were present to witness this important and significant event. The celebration terminated with fraternal meal and various entertainment renditions from young people and members of the Salesian family in the Gym of Don Bosco Comoro. The members of the Salesian family were really involved in this celebration because different tasks were assigned to them. The Salesian cooperators took care of food and logistics and the FMA sisters were the in-charge of the decoration in the Church.

Bro. Filipe chose as his motto, “For nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). While, Isaiah 45:17, “Israel, you are saved by the LORD, saved forever! You shall never be put to shame or disgrace in future ages” was chosen by bro. Josefat as his motto.

Bro. Filipe is from Atsabe, Ermera Municipality (the western part of the country). He was born on July 6, 1984. His first contact with the Salesians was in 2005, when he attended the carpentry training in Don Bosco Center for Professional Formation Comoro, Dili. He, then, joined the aspirantate formation and proceeded with the Prenovitiate formation in 2006-2007 at Don Bosco Lospalos. He made his first profession on July 24, 2008. After his first profession, he studied Philosophy in the diocesan Seminary of St. Peter and St. Paul, Dili. In 2011-2014, he was sent to India for college study and graduated with bachelor’s degree in computer science. Then, he was assigned as a practical trainee in the Community of Don Bosco Lospalos as assistance in the orphanage. In 2015 received new obedience and moved to Comoro, Dili as practical trainee in the Community of Don Bosco Center for Professional Formation. Currently, he is a member of this community.

Bro. Josafat is from Baucau Municipality (eastern part of the country). He was born in Dili, on November 12, 1989. He is the eldest son of four siblings. His father was an alumnus of Don Bosco Fatumaca. Bro. Josafat himself graduated from Don Bosco Secondary Technical School Fatumaca. He continued with his prenovitiate formation in 2007-2008 at prenovitiate house Lospalos. He made his first profession on July 24, 2009. He, then, continued with philosophical studies in the Diocesan Seminary of St. Peter and St. Paul. Soon after his philosophical studies, he was sent to Indonesia to study electronic engineering in Indonesia Technology Institute for four years and one year in the Indonesia Center for Research and Technology. He has finished with his studies and he is back to East Timor waiting for his new assignment.

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