After undergoing the Novitiate Program for two years, on Tuesday July 13, 2021, sixteen Novices professed their first vows in the Carmelite Order to the Prior General before the East Indonesia Prior Commissariat, Rev. Fr. Stefanus Buyung Florianus, O. Carm., as the representative of Prior Provincial of Indonesia, Rev, Fr. Ign. Budiono. The celebration took place in the Novitiate House in Maumere-Flores-Indonesia.
The sixteen brothers are Br. Simplianus Geli Nono, Br. Daniel Sai, Br. Marianus Seka Meo, Br. Ferdinandus H. Detu, Br. Siprianus Ngonggo Bili, Br. Maksimus Seto, Br. Mikael Riba, Br. Hendilinus, Br. Oktavianus Yoman Nende, Br. Viktorianus Beda Lebunga, Br. Januarius Dosa, Br. Dino Kada Maghi, Br. Mikael Kornelis Aja, Br. Wilibrodus Aji, Heraklius Mango, Br. Albertus Flavianus Bhala.
The Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Buyung and concelebrated by Fr. Francesco Berto as Master Novice and Fr. Leonardo as the first council. In his homily, Rev. Fr. Buyung encouraged the brothers to always faithfully carry out their three vows. By saying these vows, it “does not mean automatically becoming a perfect human without any more struggle, but it is getting more and more challenged”, added Fr. Buyung.
The Brothers are also requested to replicate St. Therese of Lisieux as patron of this Novitiate House. St. Therese always gave all the struggles of her life in Providentia Dei. She really believes in her friend 'Jesus' who is always with her in living her three vows. The depth of her spirituality, of which she said, "my way is all confidence and love," has inspired many believers. In the face of her littleness and nothingness, she trusted in God to be her sanctity. She wanted to go to Heaven by an entirely new little way. "I wanted to find an elevator that would raise me to Jesus." The elevator, she wrote, would be “the arms of Jesus lifting me in all my littleness.”
Due to the increasing spread of the coronavirus and the strict lockdown, the attendance of the families of the brothers was very limited. Only families living near the novitiate were allowed to attend while others did it online. After this celebration, the brothers will take ten days for vacation with their family. Upon their return, they will begin studying philosophy for four years at STFK Ledalero Maumere.
“We pray that our young brothers will always be strengthened in their journey. May with the intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Prophet Elijah, and all the saints of Carmel, our brothers can be faithful forever and ever”, added Fr. Yanto Ndona, O. Carm.
