Interview with Bro. Raymundo Fernandes
Fuiloro, Timor Leste, 13 April 2018 --
What makes you happy as Salesian Brother?
I’m assigned already for the fourth time to Fuiloro community. Before becoming SDB I was a student here since 1988 in Fuiloro Agricultural Technical School (Fr. Jose Vattaparambil) and Br. Jose Ribeiro was coming with truck from Los Palos. From that time on I observed two models of Salesians. For me these two missionaries from far away (Portugal and India) were working for us, never rested the whole day, assisting, working in the farm, always with the students. At the end of the third year, before the national examination, I have asked: ‘Fr. Jose, I would like to experience the Salesian vocation!’ He told me to wait for Fr. Jose Carbonell (Delegate for Indonesia), then I talked to Fr. Carbonell, was accepted in 1992-1993 as aspirant and later joined the Fatumaca novitiate in the following year.
What makes you happy or joyful as Salesian Brother?
As Salesian Brother I’m deeply convinced that without Jesus and God it’s impossible to be happy. An of course I’m happy to stay always and work with the students.
Who is your Salesian model?
This year together with Fr. Djoko (Indonesia, Blitar), with Br. Eligio (Mozambique, missionary) and Fr Yosef (Indonesia, Jakarta) we will celebrate 25 years of religious life. Ola and Djoko have a plan to celebrate together in 2018. Before we had wonderful models of Salesian Brothers like Br. Jose Kusy or Br. Carlo Gamba, but now we have probably no Salesian Brother model in Timor. Some Salesian priests are my model – like Fr. Jose Vattaparambil, Indian missionary.
What is the specific contribution of the Salesian Brother to the Salesian mission?
We make our religious vows for the whole Salesian Congregation; we contribute to the province and to our local community giving our whole life and soul. The whole hearted apostolic consecration if our best contribution.
How to make the vocation of Salesian Brother more visible in the Church?
With the life witnessing of each one of us, through our hard work in the youth mission…. The FMA and also some SDB in Timor speak only about Salesian Fathers! And many Salesian Brothers left the Congregation. We need a good leadership who will embrace everybody and will help us to continue in the perseverance.
Any wish about the Salesian priest contribution to the Salesian Brother vocation promotion?
Already when I was in Los Palos Pre-novitiate (2009-2010) I shared with my Rector about the need of Salesian Brother presence in the Aspirantate and Prenovitiate. When we talk about Salesian Brother vocation we need to witness and give chance for daily talk already to the prenovices! In the novitiate is already late to talk! Give chance…
What does sustain your vocation?
First energy is coming from God. Then I get my vocation energy from the Salesian community – living, share, joking and praying together.
Suggestion for the EAO 2018 Salesian Brothers Congress?
Yes, it’s an important event, for me will be the first time to participate in the EAO Congress. I would expect first we get to know each other, from many provinces. Yes, I like very much this rich variety of cultures and background of the 200+ EAO Salesian Brothers.
Any final sharing with the AustraLasia readers?
In our daily Salesian life depends a lot on the good animation of the local community. In Timor Leste we had missionaries from many countries since 1946 and we have built a strong Salesian culture. But now we are living basically only among Timorese and we need to learn how to animate our communities. For this reason we need more contact and exchange with Salesians of other 22 countries in the EAO region. We need a quality Salesian leadership with superiors who are able to embrace all confreres.
