The Church in Timor-Leste and the Society of Jesus celebrated on 1 August the ordination to the priesthood of Isaias Abilio Caldas SJ and Julio Antonio Sousa Costa SJ at the Nossa Senhora de Fatima Parish in Railaco. It was the first ordination to take place in the country since the declaration of a state of emergency due to Covid-19 and after several months of lockdown. Ordinations are a big community celebration in Timor-Leste and this time was no different. The pandemic did nothing to deter the parishioners, as more than 2,000 people came to celebrate, including families, friends, and honoured guests who gathered outside the church where a beautifully decorated altar had been set up.
Priests from different congregations concelebrated with the Archbishop of Dili, Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB. Archbishop da Silva appreciated the safety precautions implemented during the celebration. Several NOSSEF students had stood at the entrance of the church to check the temperature, sanitise, and give face masks to incoming guests. Even though the safety procedures took a little bit of time and the Mass was longer than usual, this did not lessen the crowd’s enthusiasm. When the vestments were handed over to the newly ordained priests, the entire congregation broke into loud applause.
Fr Caldas expressed both his and Fr Costa’s thoughts and appreciation to their families, friends, teachers, benefactors, and the Society of Jesus who have contributed to their formation until the day of their priestly ordination. “You have shown that true love is the love that is shown more in deeds than in words,” said Fr Caldas.
Archbishop da Silva also expressed his gratitude for the benevolence of God who called and nurtured the two servants to serve His people. “To be a priest is a calling from God. Our two new priests were called by God and God raised them since the day they were called. God did not only call them but God nurtured them. This is all God’s initiative for them,” he said.
Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste, thanked especially the families of the newly ordained priests. “You are our greatest donors. You have donated to us not money or property, but you have donated to us your sons,” said Fr Sarmento.
After the Mass, the congregation gathered for lunch and a short programme. Mr Domingos Sousa, Fr Costa’s uncle, spoke on behalf of the families of the two priests. “We are very proud of you that you have chosen to do more; you have chosen to be priests to serve others,” he said with gratitude and joy.
Fr Caldas and Fr Costa have begun to take on their new ministries. Fr Caldas has been appointed as the new Director of Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, while Fr Costa has been appointed Director of Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste.
The ordination marked a historic moment not just for the two new priests and the Jesuits in Timor, majority of whom are still in formation, but also for the Jesuits in other provinces and the donors who accompany and contribute to the education, formation, and vocation of the Jesuits. It has been a long journey for the new priests. Recognising that Jesus has been their constant companion, they chose as their ordination theme the passage from Luke 24:15: “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” Truly, Jesus will continue to walk with them in their journey and in their mission.