The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Archdiocese of Dili hosted the priestly ordination of three Jesuit deacons: Edgerio Francisco Araujo Martins, Herculano Moniz Pereira, and Luis Pereira on 5 November, the Feast of All Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus. Most Rev Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB, Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dili, presided over the holy Mass accompanied by the Bishop of Maliana Diocese, Msgr Norberto do Amaral, and the Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste, Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ.
Jesuit priests, scholastics, brothers, and many religious priests and sisters from various congregations came to witness the ordination and the laying on of hands by the Bishops and the priests welcoming the three as new members of the presbyterium.
In his homily, Bishop da Silva mentioned how significant this year is for the Jesuits because of the celebration of 500 years since the conversion of St Ignatius of Loyola. “The conversion of St Ignatius of Loyola 500 years ago led Ignatius to seek his new dream; it was the moment in which he started to see all things new in Christ,” said the Bishop. “I believe that our ordinands also have the same experience. Their decision to be priest is their conversion, to see that this is the choice, and that Christ has helped them to discover their true liberty.”
Having three new Jesuit priests is truly a blessing for the Society of Jesus in Timor. Fr Sarmento thanked the family and beloved parents of the new priests. “Our new priests are the greatest donations of their parents and families. They have given us the seeds and have watered them until this day with their prayers and support. So, we pray for the vocation to family life because family is where we can get the seeds of the vocation to the priesthood,” said Fr Sarmento. The Jesuit Region is also very grateful for the continued support of donors and benefactors, collaborators, and partners in mission in the country and around the world who have contributed to the formation of our local Jesuits.
The families of the newly ordained priests were very glad and grateful that one of the members of their family has finally reached his dream. All of this would not have been possible without the sacrifice, prayers, and support of all the people that took part in their sons’ journey. Representing the families and friends of the ordinands, Antoninho Pires expressed his sincere gratitude to all that have accompanied their sons’ journey to this very moment. “Our deepest gratitude to all of you, families, friends, educators, for your sacrifice and dedication, and especially to the Society of Jesus for the unending support until this day of their ordination,” he said.
Their ordination marks the beginning of a new chapter for Fathers Edgerio, Herculano, and Luis in partaking in the mission of Christ for the greater glory of God. As Archbishop da Silva said in his message to the new priests: “As Christ Himself was elevated and crucified on the cross, you too have to elevate and sacrifice yourselves so that other people will come to you. The cross is the true mission of Christ, and you will be the cross that will lead the many to the Father.”
Fr Edgerio has been assigned to work for Casa Produção Audiovisual in Dili, Fr Herculano is now helping in the Jesuit parish in Railaco, and Fr Luis is now teaching at Instituto São João de Brito in Kasait. May the Lord accompany them in their new mission to serve the Church where the need is greatest.
Contributed by the Timor-Leste Jesuit Region Communications team