A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at the Nossa Senhora da Graça parish in Metinaro, a village in the outskirts of Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, to witness the ordination of one of their own, Fr Roberto Madeira Encarnação SJ.
The ordination Mass on July 27 was preceded by a traditional Timorese ritual of the family turning over their beloved son, Roberto, to the Society of Jesus and to the Church. Wearing Kaibauk, a traditional Timorese headdress, and a Tais cloth, a typical Timorese weaving, wrapped around his waist, Fr Encarnação accompanied by his parents, relatives, neighbours and a marching band made the procession from their home to the church where the rest of the community and Jesuit Regional Superior Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ awaited them. Then the official ceremony began with Most Rev Virgilio do Carmo SDB, Bishop of Dili, officiating the Mass.
“This young man of Metinaro has started to plant new seeds for the Church. He listened to the Lord’s call and he answered”, said Bishop do Carmo during his homily. “For many years he left his family, his community and friends in order to pursue his dream of the priesthood. All these people have been very supportive until today, the day of his ordination. This is the biggest reward for the community of Metinaro and for the family of the new priest.”
The Bishop thanked the Jesuits who have accompanied Fr Encarnação throughout the many years of his formation and congratulated them for having a new priest. “This is a golden opportunity for Fr Roberto Encarnação to serve God’s people and to widen his net for others”, said Bishop do Carmo.
At the end of the Mass, Fr Sarmento gave thanks to all present. “It does not matter whether he is a Jesuit or a Diocesan, what matters is that he is now the servant of the people of God”, he said. “The Society of Jesus is humbly grateful for the biggest contributions from the biggest benefactors today. Those benefactors are first of all the parents and the brothers and sisters of Fr Roberto. You did not give us money or material things, you gave us your biggest contribution, your son Roberto. Our deepest gratitude for what you have given us”, said Fr Sarmento.
Juliao Soares, Fr Encarnação’s father, was near tears and filled with joy at the ordination of his son.
“I have been a farmer and a fisherman for a long time, I work for my family but especially to support my son Roberto to pursue his education and his dream of the priesthood. I would like to thank all the Jesuits who have supported him and accepted him to join the Society of Jesus”, he said.
After the Mass, the congregation gathered at the side of the church to celebrate with the newly ordained priest. The reception started with the cutting of the cake and a ceremonial toast followed by entertainment. Members of Magis youth ministry, students of Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola and Instituto São João de Brito, Jesuit candidates, novices and brothers, and the parishioners rendered dance and song performances.
“I would like to thank the Bishop of the Diocese of Dili, the parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Graça, all the priests and deacons that are here, all religious, catechetical groups, local authorities, Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, Instituto São João de Brito and those who helped prepare everything today. I thank you for your kind contribution and for celebrating with me on the day of my ordination”, expressed Fr Encarnação.
Indeed, it takes a village to raise a priest. Cultivating the seeds of religious vocation does not begin in the formation house but it takes root in one’s family, in one’s own community. A young religious priest is born into the ministry under the cradle of his family, his congregation and the Church who nurtured his faith to maturity for the lifetime commitment of the priesthood. Fr Encarnação’s ordination is hope that God is keeping His Church alive.