INA First Professions

By Fr Peter Tukan, SDB

Tigaraksa, Indonesia, 1st August 2019 -- This title is taken from the first book of Samuel (1 Sam 3:10), that is meaningful to the six newly professed Salesians from the Vice-Province of Indonesia (INA). On Thursday (August 1, 2019), they made their first profession to be the members of the Salesian Don Bosco Congregation.

The rite of profession was celebrated in the Holy Mass at which Father Lino Belo SDB, the Vicar of the Provincial presided, acting in the name of the Rector Major to receive the six new young Salesians. The celebration took place in the chapel of the novitiate which is under the animating Community of Tigaraksa, Banten Province.

The six newly professed Salesians are Stefanus Maing, Bonevantura Jodi, Wilfridus Pit Raja, Yolandus Kefi, Bartolomeus de Ona, and Bernardus Jeti. The first three are Salesian clerics and the last three are Salesian brothers. All of them come from the same province, namely Nusa Tenggara Timur, where the Catholic Church is the majority of its population.

Brother Stefanus Maing SDB had the duty to give a speech on behalf of his companions before the conclusion of the Mass. He told that they discussed among them to determine one motto that reflects each of one’s vocation. There are many choices from the Scripture passages. Then finally they agreed to choose the answer of Samuel when God came to call him: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

Stefanus explained that from the moment of the first profession, there will be a journey that is full with difficulties and sufferings. They reflected this in relation with the advice of Mamma Margareta to Don Bosco who was to be a priest: being a priest is the beginning of suffering. Therefore, they want to always rely their journey of vocation in God’s hands, to what God will speak to them and they will always listen to Him.

It was not all the parents of the newly professed came to witness this special moment of grace of their sons. Only the parents of four out of six were able to come from a long trip to Tigaraksa and arrived here about two days before the day of celebration. They all are happy to offer their sons to the Salesian Congregation and promise their continuing support through prayers and care.

This celebration was attended by the SDB’s mainly coming from the three neigbour presences which are Tigaraksa, Wisma Sunter and Santo Yohanes Bosco Parish; the members of the Salesian Family, mainly the FMA Sisters and the Salesian Cooperators, religious Sisters from other congregations whol live nearby, benefactors, friends and the youth the parish where the Tigaraksa community belongs to.

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