By Fr. Jolino Vieira, SDB

       Fatumaca, Timor-Leste, 9 April 2022 -- After spending 2 days in Dili, the body of Dc. Baltasar was transferred by convoy to Fatumaca on 6 April 2022 where he was buried at 8 am.

       Along the way, in different places, people were sprinkling flowers on the hearse. Upon reaching Baucau, Fr Manuel Ximenes, SDB, the parish priest of St Anthony's in Baucau led his faithful to receive the body of Dc. Baltasar with a cultural parade then brought it to the Baucau cathedral compound where the students and the faithful paid their homage in front of the cathedral. Then the convoy continued their trip to Fatumaca. Along the way, the faithful in Bela-Vista, Uailili, Gari-Uai, Cairiri paid their homage by sprinkling flowers on the hearse.

       Upon the arrival in the Salesian Compound at Fatumaca, the Salesians, teachers, students and the faithful of Fatumaca and surrounding areas wept as they received the body of Dc. Baltasar. Then, the cultural dance group performed their cultural dance showing their sorrow and mourning at the loss of their Father, teacher and friend Dc. Baltasar.

       At 3 pm of the same day, Archbishop of Dili, His Grace Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB presided over the Mass that was attended by thousands of the young people and the faithful from different Salesian communities in TLS Vice-Province. To everyone's surprise the Mass was attended also by the Portuguese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, H. E. Manuela Bairos then Fr Lino Belo and Fr Andre Delimarta represented the INA Vice-Province in the celebration.

       In the homily, Archbishop Virgílio expressed his deepest condolence to the grieving family of Dc. Baltasar and the Salesian Congregation especially in TLS Vice-Province. Further, Abp. Virgilio said: “Dc. Baltasar did not reserve anything for himself. He gave everything to the young people of Timor-Leste, in a special manner to those who met him in Colégio Dom Bosco Fatumaca.” Then, he mentioned that in the past days many people expressed their condolences and their personal witness with Dc. Baltsar. It was very nostalgic that many young people witnessed their personal experience with their fellow young people and most people are giving their witness through their posting in Facebook, YouTube, and other digital platforms. His Grace mentioned that he had known Dc. Baltasar for 42 two years. He recalled that the Deacon was a great Salesian missionary who was tirelessly working in the area of education and evangelization when Abp.Virgilio and fellow students arrived at Colégio Dom Bosco Fatumaca. He was teaching the students in the classroom, in the playground his whole life. He indeed became a great Salesian to be imitated. He built a great relationship with the young people in the community and their parents. He was the living example of the Salesian Preventive system. The living Don Bosco among the young people. He was a man of discipline and integrity. He taught the young people to look at their life with full of hope and determination.

       After the Mass, the body of Dc. Baltasar remained in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians of Fatumaca. The people from the local areas with some people from different Salesian communities paid their homage and took turns in praying for Dc. Baltasar the whole night. On the next day, on 7 April, the last funeral Mass for Dc. Baltasar was presided over by Fr Alípio Gusmão, the Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Baucau. The homily was given by Fr Apolinário Maria Ornai Neto, SDB, Superior of TLS Vice-Province. In a heartfelt homily, Fr Apolinário mentioned his personal experiences with Dc. Baltasar and his contribution to the growth of the Salesians in TLS Vice-Province. Dc. Baltasar has inspired a lot of the Salesians in TLS Vice-Province to dedicate their whole life to teach, accompany and guide the young people entrusted to them. It is a great loss to the Salesian congregation in TLS Vice-Province but we cannot just let his legacy die. We must be the ones to continue his legacy and bring it to its completion with God’s help. The Mass was attended by thousands of the young people; especially the Salesian Past Pupils and some of government representatives. After the Mass; the chance was given to different people and groups in order to express their sorrow, gratitude, and their personal experience with Dc. Baltasar. After the Mass, the program continued with a grand lunch offered by the Community of Fatumaca to all the participants.

       At 2 pm, the funeral procession started in front of the National Shrine to the Cemetery at Uai-Behe Ana (According to the legend it means: the place where the people sprinkle the rice and the water came out from the place). They were praying the Rosary along the way to the cemetery. Upon the arrival in the cemetery, Fr Manuel Ximenes, SDB led the burial ceremony beginning with the blessing of the grave where the body of the late deacon was laid. The ceremony was beautifully done due to the collaboration and cooperation from the Salesian Family and those who were present. Dc. Baltasar is now resting with God in the Salesian Garden and becomes our closest intercessor.

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