Fatumaca, Timor Leste, 26 December 2020 - The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, with the consent of his Council, has appointed Fr. Isaias Bonifacio SDB as the Novice Master for 2021-2023. Fr. Isaias Bonifacio is a Timorese and he will be the fourth Timorese as Novice Master.
On the feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, Rev. Fr. Apolinario Maria Ornai Neto SDB, the Superior of the TLS Vice-Province presided at the Mass and the installation of the newly appointed Novice Master: Fr. Isaias Bonifacio SDB, in the presence of the Novices and the Salesian confreres in the chapel of the community of Don Bosco Fatumaca. Fr. Apolinario expressed his gratitude to Fr. Anacleto Pires SDB, the outgoing Novice Master for his dedication and accompaniment in the formation of the novices. He also thanked Fr. Isaias Bonifacio SDB for his YES to take up this responsibility to accompany the novices as they travel through the year of formation.
Fr. Isaias Bonifacio was born on 14 September 1984 in Bercoli, Timor-Leste. He attended the Salesian novitiate in Fatumaca where he made his first profession, on 24 July 2004.
In 2011-2016 he studied Theology in Rome at the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), and completed a Licentiate degree in Spirituality. He made his perpetual vows on 2 May 2013 in Rome and was ordained a priest on 15 August 2017 in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Fatumaca, Timor Leste.
Soon after his priestly ordination, he was assigned as a formator in the Pre-Novitiate House, Lospalos and in-charge of the Salesian Youth Movement in the TLS Vice-Province.
Welcome dear Fr. Isaias Bonifacio and thank you dear Fr. Anacleto Pires SDB. Wish you both God’s blessings.
