The first Indonesian Camillian has been ordained to the Order of Presbyter. Fr. Alfons Oles, MI joined the ranks of Camillian Fathers last October 18, 2009 when he was ordained by Bishop Edmund Woga, C.Ss.R. at the St. Paul School of Philosophy and Theology in Maumere, Flores, Indonesia.  Seventeen SVD deacons were ordained with him.

The historic event took place in the presence of Fr. Alfons’ family, friends and large number of the faithful who attended the mass. A touching moment of the liturgy, aside from the ordination rite, was when the newly ordained priests gave their first blessing to the ordaining prelate and their respective parents. The occasion was also graced with the presence of the Camillian religious Fr. Luigi Galvani, M.I. and Bro. Avensius Harung, M.I. who  had been assigned with Fr. Alfons in Maumere, and Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva, M.I., Provincial Vicar, Bros. Suparman Andi, M.I. and Ignasius Sibar, M.I. who arrived in Maumere from the Philippines on October 15.

After the five hour Eucharistic celebration a simple program and lunch followed in the the school auditorium. The audience, consisting of the ordaining prelate, religious and diocesan priests, religious sisters and brothers, family members and friends, felt inspired when Fr. Alfons shared about his vocation story and introduced the Camillian Order.

With the help of parish priest Fr. Hans Werits, SVD and the local police and government officials, the parish, where Fr. Alfons served as a deacon, organized a parade for him and the Camillians from the school to the house rented by the Camillians.  A simple celebration took place in the house in the evening for the people who came to greet Fr. Alfons and for the neighbors and parishioners who helped in preparing the whole occasion.  Fr. Andreas Mua, SVD who has been very helpful to the Camillians since the 1990s was also present.  He congratulated the Camillians for their Indonesian mission which is slowly bearing fruit. He expressed his desire to continue helping the Camillians during the initial years of Camillian presence in Indonesia.

On October 19 Fr. Evan left for Bali and onward for Manila.  On October 20, 2009 the community together with the postulants went on pilgrimage to a nearby grotto (about 18 kilometers from Maumere town proper) with the theme: “With God all things are possible.” The theme captures the entire vocation journey of Fr. Alfons and the founding story of the Camillian mission in Indonesia.  Fr. Alfons presided over the Eucharistic celebration to thank God and the Blessed Mother for the gift of his vocation.  The community prayed and entrusted Fr. Alfons and the Camillian mission in Indonesia to Mary.

On October 22, the community took a 15 hour trip from Maumere to Ruteng, the town proper of Manggarai, for the thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Alfons.  On the next day, a group of parishioners in traditional costume came dancing to the tune of indigenous music to fetch the newly ordained priest and the Camillians.  The normally 30-minute drive to the parish of Fr. Alfons became a four hour motorcade.  The group was welcomed by the parish priest, Fr. Thomas Chrum, SVD and the faithful in full traditional rites with music and dances.

On October 24, Fr. Alfons presided over the mass in his parish, concelebrated by the parish priest, Fr. Thomas Chrum, SVD, Fr. Luigi, MI, and some diocesan and religious priests from the parish.  His cousin, Fr. Josef Jehara, SMM, was the homilist. The mass was attended by relatives, parishioners, local government officials and other guests.  The parish priest was proud to present Fr. Alfons to the parishioners as the 22nd priest of their parish.  The people were touched when Fr. Luigi introduced the Camillians and thanked the parishioners and the parish priest for their prayers and support and, most of all, for their gift to the Lord and the Camillians in the person of Fr. Alfons.  Fr. Alfons also touched the hearts of the faithful when he blessed the parish priest and the concelebrants before the final blessing. The mass was followed by a program and lunch organized by the parish.

In the afternoon, Fr. Alfons walked around his village where all the family members, villagers, relatives, and guests welcomed him in full cultural colors. Many people cried with joy upon seeing Fr. Alfons. They were simply touched by his presence now as a priest.   The village organized three days of celebration for their first priest in the village.  Fr. Alfons presided at the thanksgiving Mass on October 26, concelebrated by Fr. Luigi and the parish priest, and some other guest priests. The Mass was held under a big tent in a spacious area of the village. During the homily, Fr. Alfons narrated his vocation story beginning with his encounter with the Camillians in the Seminary of Mataloko in 1999 and unfolding during his formation in the Philippines. He moved the hearts of his people when he told them that his coming back as a priest has fulfilled their hopes and expectations. Fr. Luigi also thanked his family and the villagers for giving Fr. Alfons to the Lord and the Camillians.  The people responded with resounding applause and shouts of great joy.  Fr. Alfons also blessed his siblings and the organizing committee before the final blessing.

The whole celebration was organized by the village and all the people were like a big family in hosting the visitors, organizing the celebration and preparing the food for all. Fr. Luigi and Bro Avensius Harung together with the postulants returned to Maumere on October 28. Fr. Alfons remained for a few more days with his family.  Fr. Luigi also had the opportunity to visit the families of Bros. Ignas Sibar, Avensius Harung and Suparman Andi during the stay in Manggarai.