The dream to have Indonesian vocations began when Fr. Luigi and some Camillian priests visited Indonesia in the late 1990s to explore possibilities of planting the Camillian seed there.   That dream unfolded little by little as some young Indonesian postulants in a diocesan seminary in Flores expressed their deep desire and willingness to join the Order.  Since the main concern was for them to undergo Camillian formation, the first group of Indonesians had to leave their homeland to undergo formation in the Philippines.  On May 5, 2000 seven young Indonesians arrived in the country.

The evangelist Matthew says that many are called but few are chosen (Mt 22:14).  Out of the first batch of Indonesian formands, three have remained.  The  dream remained alive in their hearts.  It finally became concrete and the many years of struggle bore fruit as Rev. Alfons Oles, MI made his perpetual profession on May 31, 2009.   He sets the record as the first Indonesian to become a Camillian religious.

Rev. Alfons who spent his pastoral year at St. Camillus Hospital-Calbayog was ordained deacon on June 23, 2009 at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Calbayog City.  His Excellency, Most Rev. Isabelo C. Abarquez, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog, was the ordaining prelate and main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration that began at 2:30pm.   A good number of Camillian confreres, led by the Superior General, Fr. Ivo Anselmi, were there to share the joy of a significant moment in the history of the Order.  The congregation also included many friends and benefactors and, of course, the hospital personnel.

Not only is Rev. Alfons the first Indonesian Camillian religious.  He is also the first Camillian to be ordained in the Diocese of Calbayog.  We congratulate him and send him our best wishes. We pray that he may faithfully carry out his ministry as deacon. We pray also for his two companions as they start the Camillian mission in Maumere, Flores.  God speed, brothers.  The Indonesian people are waiting for you.

Our congratulations goes to Fr. Luigi Galvani also, who celebrated his 41st priestly ordination anniversary on the same day. We share his joy and thank him for his crucial role in pursuing the dream for Indonesia.  In the messages that he and Rev. Alfons conveyed after the Mass, it was clear that the Lord is really pointing towards Indonesia.

We express our sincere gratitude to all, in particular the staff of St. Camillus hospital, who made the celebration memorable and meaningful.  Such was the joy that pervaded the occasion that even the rains brought by typhoon Feria were received as an outpouring of God’s blessings.