Comoro, Dili. Timor-Leste, 8 September 2022 -- After having completed his studies in Indonesia, Brother Joãozinho Joko Purwanto, SDB (aka Bro. Joko) finally made his perpetual profession as a Salesian Brother. Before the celebration, Bro. Joko was accompanied by his elder sister and his brother-in-law and some relatives to be presented to the Provincial Superior of TLS Vice-Province, Fr. Anacleto Pires, SDB. This way ymbolically the family of Bro. Joko had offered their son to God through the Salesian congregation. After some minutes, the Archbishop of Dili arrived. His Eminence Virgílio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva, SDB was welcomed by the parish priest of Comoro, Fr. Joao Roque, SDB accompanied by the TLS Provincial, Fr. Anacleto Pires, SDB, and the faithful. Cardinal Virgílio presided over the Eucharist in the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady and the Perpetual Vows. There were 29 concelebrating priests, Salesian brothers, FMA sisters, and other sisters from different religious institutes. Brother Bernardus Mei, SDB represented the Provincial of Indonesia Vice-Province and all confreres in Indonesia.
In the homily, Cardinal Virgílio invited all to reflect on how God has raised his Son’s mother to partake in the joy and heaven’s life since Mary’s role as our Redeemer's mother and her acceptance of fulfilling the mission to the end. With the birth of Mary, she brought light to the world, Jesus our Saviour. No creature can bring this light and can do like what the Blessed Virgin Mary did. We thanked God because we have received a gift that Mary is not only the mother of God’s Son but also she is our mother too.
As reiterated by Cardinal Virgílio, before entering Colégio Fatumaca, Brother Joko was a Muslim. Even though he was accepted afterward to study in the Colégio Fatumaca, it took three years for him to be brave enough to express his desire to be a Salesian. As he was told he must be baptized first before becoming a Salesian. On Pentecost day of 2011, he was baptized, made his First Communion, and at the same time, received Confirmation. What a blessing!
For Bro. Joko, during his stay in Fatumaca, got inspired and motivated by the examples of the Salesians. The calling to be a coadjutor brother was his option and this made up his mind as he was searching and he chose to offer himself to the young people. He left everything and old things to win everything. He wanted to serve God through the Salesian charism, not serving two or three persons only, but serving many people. Despite temptations and worldly allurements, Bro. Joko wanted to look for the highest joy, the best joy. Let’s pray for the intention of Bro. Joko so that he may become God’s useful instrument to serve and help young people in Don Bosco’s way, the way of holiness. All of this can be a reality for Bro. Joko, as stated in the motto of his perpetual profession, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil.4:13).
