VDB animation visit to the ITM Vice-province: Timor Leste & Indonesia
By Maria L, VDB
VDB - Central Council
Dili, Timor Leste, 5 September 2017 -- Two Volunteers of Don Bosco (VDB) – one former Central Councilor and one present Central Council just finished a week long animation visit in Timor Leste – Indonesia Viceprovince (August 27-September 4). At present there are only two VDB professed members in the whole ITM viceprovince. This visit aimed at making known to the SDB, FMA and other Salesian Family groups the Lay Secular Consecrated vocation.
In Timor Leste two VDB visited the SDB communities in Dili – Postnovitiate (30+ young Salesians) and were lucky enough to take part in the Los Palos SYM Forum with 700 participants (August 25-27) and the prenovitiate SDB community. On the return to Dili the two VDB visited also the Baucau FMA community and offered their prayers at the tomb of Simoa, the first deceased Timor VDB and took advantage also for a short animation at the Fatumaca SDB Aspirantate – Novitiate. Next day they visited the FMA provincial house in the capital of Dili and were able to present their secular consecrated vocation to present young ladies and in the afternoon paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of Dili, Virglio da Silva, SDB. As a fruit of this visit next day morning they were able again meet the bishop with another four interested candidates, who are trying for past three years to live in a kind of ‘secular’ community and asked the help of Bishop Virgilio. This providential meeting happened just few hours before departure for Jakarta, Indonesia.
In the Indonesia Delegation the two animating VDB first encountered the SDB postnovices of Wisma, Sunter and the FMA student community in our Sunter Parish of Don Bosco. Indeed the FMA sisters didn’t know anything about the existence of the VDB secular institute in the Salesian Family – so the power point presentation was a surprise and good eye opener. On the evening the parish priest invited the two visitors to the Evangelization group with 100 present members (St. John Bosco Parish has about 5000 Catholic faithful) and were able to introduce basic information about their VDB vocation and discernment criteria.
Last day in Jakarta was dedicated to the animation at the SDB novitiate, accompanied by Fr. Ramoncito Padilla (Salesian Family delegate for Indonesia). The 12 novices of Indonesia with their formators (Novicemaster Fr. Andre Delimarta, Fr. Andang and Rector Fr. Andy) were able to understand through the PPT presentation the VDB vocation. Then followed one hour long open forum with many questions and answers.
During the week long presentation of the VDB vocation within the ITM Vice-province the two VDB were very grateful for the patient accompaniment and kind help of many Salesian priest and brothers. As usual, this visit was a time of sowing small seeds of their vocation, only the Holy Spirit is able to produce some fruits. The whole Salesian family of ITM province would see one day a good harvest.
The VDB Central council members are ready for similar vocation promotion trip in any of the EAO 11 provinces and 6 delegations. Any SDB or FMA invitation is welcome!
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