July 30 was a day for rejoicing for the Jesuits of the Jesuit Independent Region of Timor-Leste, and not just because of the Feast of St Ignatius the next day.  That Sunday was the ordination to the priesthood of Sidelizio (Side) Ornai Pereira SJ, and every Jesuit in the country travelled to his hometown of Baucau to celebrate the first Timorese Jesuit ordination to the priesthood since 2010.  Jesuits from other parts of Asia Pacific also travelled to Timor-Leste for the ordination.

Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, who presided at the ceremony, spoke warmly of the Jesuits, and the Society’s mission, presence and role in the Church in Timor-Leste.  Among the many concelebrants was the Salesian Provincial Superior and Fr Side’s uncle, Fr Maria Apolinário Ormai Neto SDB.

The proceedings began with a traditional welcome ceremony during which both Fr Mark Raper SJ, Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific President and Acting Regional Superior, and Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, Delegate of the Regional Superior, received Fr Side and his family at the entrance of the Cathedral of St Anthony.

This and other local traditions observed in the formal Church ceremony were much appreciated by the large crowd of religious men and women, family, friends, parishioners, alumni of Colegio São Jose, and students of the Jesuit teacher education institute, Instituto São João de Brito, and secondary school, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, who attended the ordination.

The reception was held right after the Mass in the cathedral grounds. The next morning, Fr Side offered his first mass of thanksgiving in St Anthony Chapel in Buibau, Baucau.

Fr Side is already deep in his assignment as Rector of Instituto São João de Brito, a position he assumed in May, after completing his further studies in education in Australia.

“Side’s ordination is a special blessing for our region which has long relied on the support of Jesuit missionaries,” said Fr Sarmento. “But since Timor-Leste became independent, the formation of our young Jesuits has been our priority in mission.  Fr Side is the first fruit of this endeavour with, God willing, many more to come in the not too distant future.”