Dili, Timor Leste

By Our own correspondent

Comoro, Dili, Timor Leste, 11 November 2019 -- The annual meeting of EAO Youth Ministry and Missionary Animation delegates opened in Don Bosco, Comoro - Dili, Timor Leste with the Eucharist at which the main celebrant was the TLS Vice-province superior, Fr Apolinario Neto Ornai on the evening of 11 November. With the presence of the majority of provincial delegates for these two sectors and three general councilors - Fr Fabio Attard (YM), Fr Guillermo Basanes (Missions) and Fr Vaclav Klement (EAO region), after the Mass all participants and the Dili-based Salesians (Postnovitiate, Centec DB and Provincial House) moved to the courtyard of the newly built St Francis de Sales Philosophy Centre (IFFS) for the solemn blessing.

The Archbishop of Dili, Virgilio Da Silva, SDB was the main guest, and 100 members of all groups of the Salesian Family (SDB, FMA, ADMA, Salesian Cooperators, Alumni of Don Bosco and Alumni MHC) were present for the occasion. After short talks given by the Rector of the Postnovitiate Fr. Manuel Pinto, by the SDB Provincial, by the Minister or Education and by Fr Fabio Attard, and the solemn blessing, the family dinner and cultural presentation - dances - by the young people (boys and girls) from various Salesian Oratorian settings followed.

In the Goodnight, Archbishop Virgilio briefly introduced the ecclesial situation of the Dili archdiocese and Timor Leste in general: While the percentage of practising Catholics has begun to decline, vocations to consecrated life and to the priesthood, and perseverance are still very much alive. The number of major seminarians has grown from 150 (2019) to 190 (2020) and the facilities of the major seminary are insufficient. Also the presence of more than 60 different female Congregations in the country shows the generosity of Catholic families. The youthful dynamics of the Catholic community helps to overcome multiple challenges facing the youngest country within the EAO region (RDTL - Independence since 2002).

The four full days of Youth Ministry and Missionary animation delegates joint meeting are animated by the respective general councilors and their team: Fr. MC George and Fr. Martin Lasarte (Missions) with Fr Patrick Antonyraj (Youth Ministry), assisted by the respective EAO coordinators: Fr. Joebeth L. Vivo (YM) and Fr. Arvin Abatayo (Missions).

Welcome to the Island of St Callisto Caravario, who lived in Dili (1927-1929), to the Island of Don Bosco, who has been so much loved in Timor Leste for almost 100 years!

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