Under the motto “Jangan takut” (Luke 1:30) (Do not be afraid), the first profession of seventeen novices – eleven Indonesians and six Timorese – was celebrated on the afternoon of 11 July. To the sound of drums, in keeping with local tradition, a group of children and adults danced during the entrance procession. Behind them walked the altar servers; the novices who were to make their profession, accompanied by their parents; the Vice-Provincial Superior, the Local Superior; the concelebrating priests; and Fr Stefanus Buyung O.Carm, Vicar General of the diocese. The choir was made up of a group of Carmelite novices. The ceremony was attended by eighteen Brothers and a large group of family members, as well as a large number of the faithful.
Following the religious ceremony, the customary speeches were delivered in the chapel; on this occasion, these were given by Fr Stefanus Buyung O.Carm, the Vice-Provincial Brother, the novice master, a representative of the families and one of the Brothers who had just made their vows. Following this, whilst the families shared dinner together, a programme of musical performances and dances by various groups of children from the catechism classes took place on the outdoor stage. As is customary, the celebration concluded with a series of traditional dances.
Two days later, the newly professed Brothers went on a day trip accompanied by their families, some Brothers and collaborators. They set off first thing in the morning for Kelimutu Lakes National Park, situated in the central part of the island, one of Indonesia’s main tourist attractions. After enjoying the extraordinary beauty of the landscape there in a family atmosphere, they travelled on to Paga Beach, where they shared a meal.
A few days earlier, on 7 July, at the end of the spiritual exercises, two Brothers renewed their religious vows and fourteen postulants began their novitiate with the rite of taking the habit.
