Deacon ordination in Rome

By Dcn Cesar da Costa, SDB

Rome, Italy, 24 June 2017 -- June 24 during the 10:30 Eucharist were ordained 11 Salesian deacons from the international community of Blessed Ceferino Namuncura (Rome-Gerini) in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome by Bishop Mauro Maria Morfino, SDB (Sardegna - diocese of Alghero-Bosa). They are heading from 8 countries and 4 continents: India, Peru, Angola, Zambia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Croatia and Timor Leste.




The only EAO deacon Cesar Joaquim Da Costa is sharing about his vocation journey, his Rome formation period and his grateful heart on this occasion. His mother and auntie, ITM provincial, Fr. Apolinario Neto, all East Timor - Indonesia (ITM) SDB and FMA students in Rome. Also Timor Leste ambassador and his staff in Rome were present at this occasion.

"Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach."

I do, with the help of God.

Today is full of joy indeed, I would like to thank God the father for the grace of vocation to be Salesian. Today, Our Lord invites his servants to serve his garden, for unfortunate people, most specially for the young people.

I am César Joaquim Costa. I was born in Bahú, Baucau district of Timor Leste. My parents are Manuel and Cesarina. After 4 months, I was baptized in Fatumaca by Fr. Alfonso Nacher, SDB. Then after 2 years, my parents transferred to Manatuto district. In this place, I was starting my studies in the school as well as in the Church. With my friends’ help, but most specially my family, I started practicing my faith.

In my parish, I participated in several activities as, altar servant and teacher of singing practice. Also in the school, I was helping my friends to be good students. Moreover, I helped the teachers as well. From this simple experience, I learned how to be a good student amidst my friends.

One day, the director of the school called us to have entrance test in the Salesian Juniorate (Aspirantate) in Venilale. I have been selected to enter the seminary. Then I was hardly adjusting the new ambient. The experience I need to learn how to live in seminary. Hence, I came to know who Salesians are. In this place, I started learning Salesian life. With joyful heart, I was able to continue studying in Salesian schools supported my parents, but most particular my mother who worked hard for the betterment of her children.

In 2008, I made my first profession as Salesian of Don Bosco. Since then I continually learned how to be a good Salesian. I always see in my life the missionaries as my main model. They are truly great Salesians, active in spiritual life and work hard for the good of youth. When I was working with the youth in my practical training, I learned to be their brother, their friend and father for them after the example of the missionaries.

In 2014, I started my theological studies in Rome. This was the first time going out from my country to encounter very different reality, culture, and language. I started feeling the real joy and difficulty at the same time. I began to realize how difficult to be away from my own country. Sometimes, I feel happy and difficult and I laugh and cry. I would compare this to a flower garden that is full of different colours - some are red, white, yellow and black. However, this experience form me to grow in my vocation as a Salesian religious.

Now I'm living now in an International Salesian Formation Community of students at the UPS, all of us are candidate to the priesthood. I experience here indeed the sweetness and bitterness at the same time. I meet different people, I hear different languages, I experience different cultures, but all of them decorate my life to be more beautiful. The fact that, with the assistance of the confreres, but most specially with help of God, I try always to be sign of God’s love those who in need, particularly the youth.

In this particular occasion, I would like to thank everyone, who direct or indirect helping and supporting me until now. Hope that you will continue pray for me so much so that I may serve well the altar of the Lord and people as well; in particular the youth and the poor. Yes, indeed they are the main target of our mission.

Thank you Jesus, thank you Salesian confreres and thank you young people!

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