The celebration of World Mission Sunday on October 24, 2010 had a historical significance for the Camillian presence in Indonesia.  Two Camillian religious, Fr. Cyrelus Suparman Andi, MI and Fr. Avensius Harung, MI, together with eight other religious of the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), were ordained to the Order of Presbyters in the town of Maumere on the island of Flores. The ordination was presided over by Msgr. Kherubim Pareira, SVD, Bishop of the Diocese of Maumere. More than 50 concelebrating priests including two Filipino confreres, Fr. Rolly Fernandez, MI, Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province and Fr. Tex Rico Buntol, MI, a former formator of Indonesian seminarians, and several guests graced the occasion.

In the evening, a well-attended thanksgiving party for the two newly ordained priests was held.  This day gave the community a great joy and a good sign that the Indonesians and the local Church welcomes and loves the Camillian charism.

Another historical event that took place the following day was the blessing and laying of the cornerstone stone of the first Camillian seminary in Indonesia. The ceremony was led by the Father Provincial. Hopefully this seminary, whose construction is targeted to finish in June 2011, will accommodate a greater number of candidates for the initial and theological formation.

Two days after, the two new priests together with Fr. Luigi, Fr. Tex and Bro. Ignas went to Manggarai, western part of Flores for their thanksgiving Masses, which countless people attended. The mayor, vice mayor and some government officials also came to grace the said occasions. This made the Camillian name ring in the ears of the people and find a place in their hearts. Most attendants were fascinated by the special charism of charity of the Camillians and their motherly care for the sick. Naturally, they eagerly looked forward to the concrete Camillian presence in the western part of Flores. With these events, the Camillian presence in Indonesia starts to spread around little by little.

Fr. Andi and Fr. Benny, who completed ten years of religious and theological formation in the Philippines, will now be the "man power" for the Camillian presence and mission that has just been opened a year ago in Flores. They will also be responsible for the formation of the new Indonesian seminarians who aspire to become sons and followers of St. Camillus. Currently, the Camillian community of Indonesia is composed of five religious and ten young people living in a rented house in the outskirts of the city.

The dream to plant the Camillian seed in Indonesian soil started a decade ago. However, due to the lack of missionary personnel at that time, the Camillians decided to invite some young Indonesians to come to Manila for studies and formation. After ten years, the experience is bearing fruit. The ordination of Fr. Andi and Fr. Benny brings the number of Indonesian Camillian priests to three. The first to be ordained was Fr. Alfons Oles who is currently studying in Rome.  Hopefully another one, who is still on his pastoral year, will be ordained next year.

The Camillian charism is very positively received by the local Church.  Thus, we hope and pray that the good examples and Camillian witnessing of the two new priests will make the people come to know more about Camillians.  We also hope that the young people will be drawn to become promoters of the charism of charity of St. Camillus and missionaries of hope and human solidarity.