By INA SocCom

Sumba Barat Daya (NTT), Indonesia, 09 September 2023 - On the occasion of the feast of the birth of Mother Mary, 8 September 2023, brother Jefrianus Umbu Dapa Loka, made his perpetual profession as religious, Salesian lay brother, in front of father Andrew Wong, superior of INA Vice province, who represents the Rector Mayor of the Society of Saint Francis of sales. The Superior of INA Vice province was the main celebrant and concelebrated with the Salesian priests from different communities of the province and with the presence of two other Priests from the local Diocese.

Father Andrew Wong in his homily thanks God for the occasion of celebrating the feast of the birth of Mother Mary and the occasion of the perpetual profession of Brother Umbu. He said normally we celebrate the birthday of someone we used to give the celebrant a gift but now is different because the celebrant gives us the gift, which is not only a simple gift but a very precious gift which is Brother Umbu for his total donation to the congregation, to the church and to the young people. Father Andrew continues by commenting on the motto chosen by Brother Umbu, which is "Stay with us (Lc 24,29). Then he continues with the reflection on how Brother Umbu showed his trust and Faith in the Lord along the way of his formation journeys.

After the holy mass before the final Blessing, there were some speeches of thanksgiving. First by fr. Lino Belo, SDB thanks the Family of Brother Umbu for their generosity in offering their son to the Lord, to the church, and to the congregation. Then thanks also to the Community of Sumba for their service in the ceremony of the perpetual profession of Brother Umbu. Then at last invited the young people to follow Jesus like brother Umbu. The second Speech was delivered by one of the families of Brother Umbu who is also a Priest concelebrated. He thanked the congregation for accepting Umbu to be one of its members and he also explained that Umbu is the only catholic in his Family. Umbu has 10 brothers and sisters all of them are protestant including their father and mother are protestant. Since ten years old Umbu stayed with his uncle and untie who are a catholic family. Because of that Umbu also Made catholic and then became a salesian.

After the ceremony, there were expressions of joy for the newly professed. There was a simple celebration, with the presence of immediate relatives, young people from Don Bosco Senior High School, and from the Training Center of Don Bosco Sumba. The ceremony was simple. And the ceremony was going on until 22:00 o'clock local time. Even though simple, the ceremony was solemn and filled with happiness and joy.

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