Comoro (Dili),Timor-Leste  – Last Saturday (17 June 2023), the Salesian Family in TLS Vice-Province joyfully gathered in the church of Mary Help of Christians, Comoro, to celebrate a thanksgiving Mass for the silver anniversary of the religious profession of our seven confreres.

       Presently, there are only five confreres since the other two are doing their formation abroad, Fr. Aquiles Soares, SDB is in Italy and Fr. Tomás de Carvalho, SDB is in the Philippines. Provincial vicar, Fr. Manuel Pinto, SDB with other nineteen Salesian priests are concelebrating in this thanksgiving Mass. Fr. Abraão Pinto, SDB is the main celebrant. Participated in this thanksgiving Mass members of the family from our seven confreres, religious sisters, other members of the Salesian Family, rectors of the communities, pre-novices, students, young people, and the faithful.

As the main celebrant as well as to represent his companions, Fr. Abraão in his homily expressed their feelings of joy and gratitude to God, to their families, to all the faithful, and especially the young people. He said: “We thank God for the gift of life and vocation which God has given us. We are grateful to all of you, for your sincere love and friendship. It’s a long journey in responding to God’s call, despite our life’s imperfections, yet God is calling us to bring His love to His people. It’s a long journey, however, we always put our trust in God. To remain in God’s love we can do some more great things. Lastly, we are still requesting your prayers, so that we may be always good shepherds to all, most especially to the young people whom God has entrusted to our care.”

After the homily, our five priest confreres renewed their religious vows. After the Eucharistic celebration, all participants headed to Don Bosco Comoro gym to celebrate this special event with a feast.

(TLSC)