The Society of Jesus in Timor-Leste has been blessed with a new Timorese priest with the ordination of Albino Ribeiro Gonçalves SJ on June 28 by Bishop Dom Norberto do Amaral of the Diocese of Maliana. About 2,000 parishioners, Jesuits and local clergy, Fr Gonçalves’ family and friends, students and staff of Jesuit schools, partners of the Jesuits in various apostolates and local authorities joined the celebration held at the parish church in Liquiça.
Fr Gonçalves was born on June 14, 1982 in Pissu Craic, Lauhata, Bazartete, Liquiça to a large family of 14 children. He joined the Society of Jesus on April 22, 2005, and has done most of his formation outside Timor-Leste. He studied philosophy at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines and theology at Faculdade Jesuita de Filosofia e Teologia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he was ordained a deacon last year.
In his homily, Bishop Amaral expounded on the motto Fr Gonçalves had chosen for his ordination: “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). He said, “The self-offering that Albino brings into this occasion is a testimony that Christ can transform us to be his instrument of love in this church and for the people. He is no longer the same Albino as before, but now an alter-Christus in our midst.” Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste, also made a short speech, during which he pointed that, “Fr Albino, in our liturgy today, did not become a priest for the Society of Jesus only but he is now a priest for all”. He also thanked the bishop for officiating at the ordination and Fr Gonçalves for “offering yourself to the church”.
The celebration was capped by the traditional cutting of the cake and dance and choral performances by members of various ministries especially those in the Jesuit-run schools.
Fr Gonçalves celebrated his first Mass a week later in the mission chapel of the village of Bazartete, 38 kilometres from Dili. Jesuits, his relatives, guests, and collaborators travelled from Dili and other parts of Liquiça to join the Bazartete community in the Mass. In his homily, Fr Gonçalves told a story about a furniture-maker who became a rabbi to be able to teach the word of God to his people in Nazareth and Galilee, but he was not treated well as a preacher and was not accepted by his own relatives and community. In the end he suffered and was crucified. That man, of course, is Jesus.
Fr Gonçalves said jokingly that he feels like Jesus not because of his holiness but because of his experience of being teased by friends who, having known him for a long time, thought it impossible for him to become a priest. That is indeed the mystery of vocation, he said.
Former Superior of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste Fr Mark Raper SJ had not been able to attend the ordination but was able to arrive in time for the Mass. “I am very happy to attend this first Mass with all the families and communities in Bazartete. I personally congratulate [Albino] and hope you will be launched in your mission to serve the Lord through his people,” said Fr Raper, who is now Superior of the Jesuits in Myanmar.
The new priest expressed his thanks to God for the vocation granted to him and said that he could not have imagined that this day would arrive. He was just one of the children in his village, but the village nurtured his faith and made him who he is now – chosen by God in this important ministry of the priesthood. He asked for the prayers of the people as he promised them his own.
Fr Gonçalves has been assigned to be Assistant Treasurer of the Region of Timor-Lester and also minister of the Jesuit Residence in Taibesi.
