A Vocation Story of Wilfridus Pita Raja, Prenovice in Sumba
Sumba, Indonesia, 4 March 2018 -- Primus is his nickname, but he admits that he really does not know how he got that nickname, because his real name is Wilfridus Pita Raja. His name is written that way, on his birth certificate and on his Identity Card. He is one of the Pre-novices studying in Sumba this year (2018). He was born in Ende Flores, 19 years ago, and had spent his Junior and Senior high school years in the Mercu Buana Diocesan Seminary here in the island of Sumba.
Having studied some Latin in the seminary, he knows his nickname Primus, means “first” or “prime”. And when asked about his first encounter with the Salesians of Don Bosco, he could recall a couple of things.
He remembers that while reading an Indonesian version of “The Lives of Saints” at the seminary library, he noticed that the other saints had each a page-full of text, while Don Bosco’s entry was several pages long. This certainly had impressed him.
But his prime memory regarding the Salesians of Don Bosco was his first visit, a stay-in at the Novitiate Community in Sumba. This experience had touched him in a special way, that he eventually asked to be admitted into the initial formation process of the SDB.
It happened one day in the month of August 2015. While resting during the mid-day break of the seminary, he was awakened by a companion, asking Primus why he was not yet ready to go with them. Go where? He was a bit puzzled.
His companion told him that the Don Bosco Novitiate, in the other side of the town, was celebrating a Bicentennial of St John Bosco. But Primus did not know about this and was not really interested. But since this was an overnight event with lots of other young people, he washed up while his companion helped him pack up some clothes. Coming out of the seminary building, he realized that the vehicle and others were ready and they were just waiting for him.
As their vehicle passed through the gray perimeter walls of the Don Bosco Sumba Novitiate, he thought the place would be just like their seminary. But he was surprised to see the place was so clean, and that there was lots of plants and trees. The Salesians and novices too were so friendly and welcoming. This was like family! Their Bicentennial celebration about Don Bosco was fun, informative and prayerful, all at the same time. For Primus, this was prime time! And he became more certain that when his seminary days will be over, he would continue on with the Salesians!
Consequently, when the seminary staff organized the usual 3 days of discernment for his graduating batch, to choose which congregation they would enter, or whether to continue being part of the diocese, he had already a happy answer: Salesians of Don Bosco!
As in every vocation calling, the journey is really not always a smooth and stable process. Primus admits he also has had some doubts, but like the young John Bosco, having a spiritual guide and the nourishment of the Sacraments, will make him be a true sign and bearer of God’s love for the youth.
