Wednesday, May 26, 2021, was a happy day for the Congregation for Redemptorists universally, especially for Indonesian Redemptorists. On this day, Br. Yonatan Kulla C.Ss.R. made his perpetual profession in the Redemptorist Congregation. This event took place at Weetebula Holy Spirit Cathedral Church, Sumba island. Br. Jonathan took the motto for his final profession: “Lord, You are too strong for me”(Jer 20: 7b).
The Eucharistic celebration gathered Redemptorists working in Sumba as well as family and friends. Fr. Provincial Kimy Ndelo, C.Ss.R., presided over the liturgy. In his sermon, he reminded the that a Redemptorist is called to carry the cross by being willing to follow God’s will conveyed by the superior’s decision.
Addressing Br. Yono, Fr. Kimy said that with perpetual vows of religious life, the journey of vocation does not become easier. A Redemptorist should become a person who is never satisfied with what has been achieved. “Don’t stop in the middle of the road, don’t look back and don’t stop walking,” continued Fr. Kimy. Closing his sermon, he encouraged Br. Yono to be a prophet like Jeremiah.
It is worth noting the way that Br. Yono did to discern his religious vocation. Initially, following his uncle, he was baptised in a Protestant church – Sumba Christian Church in Bondo Delo, his hometown in the mountains of Yawila, Sumba. His parents actually still adhere to the Marapu religion, the local religion in Sumba. With time, he studied at the junior high school in Elopada. He took high school education in Waingapu. During his education, he spent time with the redemptorist in the two different parishes. Uniquely, he also got the task of being a sacristan while he was there.
From there, slowly but surely, he was interested in becoming a Catholic. After discussing with his family, he finally moved to Catholicism. Later, consulting with the parish pastor where he lived, he decided to apply and became a redemptorist brother. Not everyone in his family was happy about his decision. But he never was turning back.
In 2010 he was accepted into the Ivan Ziatyk community as an aspirant. After that, in the next two years, he continued in postulancy and noviciate. In 2013 he made his first vows. Then he got the assignment as assistant and bursar in our juvenate, API Pada Dita.
Surely We are all happy to celebrate the final profession of our confrere. Congratulation, Br. Yono!
Fr. Willy Pala C.Ss.R.
