With the motto “Kamu akan menjadi saksi-Ku” (Acts 1:8) (You will be my witnesses), the first profession of twenty-four novices, seventeen Indonesians, six Timorese and one Filipino, was celebrated on 12 July in Nita. To the sound of drums, according to local tradition, a group of children and adults from Nita and Nitakloang danced in the entrance procession. They were followed by the altar boys; the novices who were about to profess their vows, accompanied by their parents; the local Superior; the concelebrating priests and Fr. Stefanus Buyung OCarm, Vicar General of the diocese of Maumere. The choir was made up of a group of faithful from the neighbouring lingkungan of St. Augustine of Blatat.
Once the religious ceremony was over, the usual speeches were given in the chapel, on this occasion by Fr. Stefanus Buyung, a representative of the families and one of the Brothers who had just professed. Then, while the family shared dinner, a programme of musical performances and dances by various groups of children from catechism classes took place on the outdoor stage. As is customary, the celebration ended with a series of traditional dances, in which many of our formation students and guests participated.
Two days later, the newly professed Brothers enjoyed a day trip with their families, many of whom had come from the islands of Timor, Lembata and Sulawesi. They left early in the morning for the Kelimutu National Park, with its volcanic lakes, one of Indonesia’s main tourist attractions, where they enjoyed the unique beauty of the landscape in a family atmosphere. On their return, they rested, bathed and shared a meal on the tourist beach of Koka.
