"God Must Be Obeyed"

Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles in Christ. My name is Edgerio Francisco Araujo Martins. As you can see, I am an East Timorese novice. I have five siblings; three sisters and one brother. This brother of mine is adopted; he is very precious to me because without him, I would not be standing here talking to you all. In my culture it is almost impossible for a family with one son to become a priest because if the son becomes a priest, who will carry on the family inheritance and continue the family name? My vocation story of God’s calling me to join the Jesuit vocation is a free gift from God, but also a great mystery of constant struggles and great fulfilments.

God’s Providence and to follow Christ
My whole family is Catholic and we attend Mass every Sunday and we pray the family Rosary every night. I already felt God’s calling to be a priest when I was 12 years old, in primary six. One day, my parents told me that Abo – Tutua will be coming to our house. ( Abo – Tutua is God). I was curious to see Him. When he arrived, I was a bit surprised to see him. He was bishop Basilio. He was full of joy and smiles. I was inspired and moved by his visitation. As I reflect on his visit I believe he was the one God sent to inspire me to become a priest even though I was very young.

When I finished my primary schooling, without any strong reasons, I felt God’s calling to be a priest. When I told my parents that I wished to enter Diocesan Pre- seminary, my mother was very sad because she felt I was too young. She cried every night because she loved me very much and did not want me to suffer. I felt very sad for her, but still I felt I had to follow God’s calling. I tried to persuade my father to persuade my mother to allow me to join the Pre-seminary. He was very supportive of my decision to become a priest. One day, my father sent my mother to visit my grandparents. When she left the house he quickly packed my things and brought me to the pre-seminary.

After spending three years in the Pre-Seminary, I longed to continue my formation in the Seminary. However, my parents did not want me to continue because they were still worried whether the priesthood vocation was really my calling in life. However, deep in my heart, I still felt strongly, that God was leading me on, in His ways. So, I remained committed to my calling.

My discernment to the Society of Jesus
After my pre-seminary formation I continued with my Seminary formation. The seminary sent us to St Joseph Jesuit High school for studies. From this high school, I began to develop a desire to become a Jesuit. Each time our Jesuits celebrated some thing, I would escape from the seminary to join in the celebration. Once day, a Jesuit Priest, (Fr Robert Rimmin SJ) saw me jumping over the fence of the seminary. So he scolded me. I respond with the smile. I don’t like to stay anymore at the Seminary because I want to become Jesuit. But, he replied. “But, Jesuits don’t jump over fences like you?!” I answered, “Yes Father, but I am a sinner yet called.” I was attracted by the Jesuit Mission and Education. As part of student council leaders training, I had to walk 40 km, to experience the meaning of the Gospel Mark 12:6-12, when Jesus sent His disciples out on mission, without bringing anything; just to trust in God’s providence. These experiences taught me not to trust in our merits, but let God use me as His instrument.

God protected me from dangers
After I finished my high school, even as I had the desire to become a Jesuit, I also wanted to take a break from the six years of my seminary life. I wanted to experience what lay person’s life is like. So, I joined the youth of my neighbourhood. I had one year of very horrible experiences of mixing with bad company who drank, smoked and liked to fight. I later realised that they were a group of gangsters. However, I could not get out of the group because if I did, they my harm my family or even burn my home.

Over time, I began to distance my self from them and gradually developed once again, a strong desire to become a Jesuit. Eventually, I applied to join the Jesuit “Candidacy programme.” To my surprise, I was accepted. At the end of the one year programme I was interviewed by some Jesuits. I was asked, “If I become a priest, who would inherit and carry on the name of my family?” I could not answer their question and tears just flowed down my cheeks. So, the Jesuits asked me to return home and spend more time with my family. My family continued to tell me, “Don’t waste time trying to become a priest.” For three months after the interview, I was very angry with God. I said to God, “You are the one who called me. And, You know that I am the only son and my parents would not allow me to be priest. So, why did You call me? God did not answer my question. So, I got more angry with Him and stopped going for Mass for three months.

A few months later, Fr Ruedy, a Jesuit priest, (he passed away very suddenly recently), asked me to join the Audio-Visual Production ministry in East Timor. While I worked with him, he also became my Spiritual Director. Working there was really wonderful as I once again got in touch with the Ignatian charism, even though I was out of the Jesuit Candidacy programme. Meanwhile, I applied for a scholarship to study Medicine in Cuba. I passed the tests and interviews and was accepted. My parents were very happy, but deep within me, I knew my heart was still to answer God’s call to become a Jesuit priest.

Eventually, I went for the Jesuit Novitiate interview and to my great happiness I was accepted. However, I knew I also had a serious problem of telling my parents that I want to become a priest instead of going to study for Medicine in Cuba, even though I am the only son. The day of departure for Singapore novitiate was fast approaching. So, one day, I told them about my decision. They were very sad, but I knew I had to say “Yes” to God and “sorry” to my parents. Since I left East Timor fifteen months ago and I have been praying for my parents every day. Once in a while they telephone me. Now they are at peace and are also happy that I am becoming a Jesuit priest because they hear my happy voice and they know that I am really very happy here in the Novitiate with my brother novices and with Fr Heng and Fr Colin.

Each day in the novitiate, I experience healing and growth through the novitiate formation programme, especially through my daily prayers. In the novitiate community we all have a single purpose and we share a life of diverse cultural background; ages, working experiences and temperaments. Yet, all of us willingly give up everything to serve and love God. This is what inspires me to face the many challenges in my formation with a smile and with much enthusiasm and hope. Very honestly speaking, I must say that the last fifteen months here, in the novitiate, has been my happiest and most fulfilling time of my life. It is very hard to describe it fully, but to understand what I mean you have to experience it yourself.

Now I also realise that God has answered my prayers. When God called me, He knew that I was the only son. So, I believe God offered my adopted brother as a gift to my family to take my place. So, now I can do His Will of serving Him in any place He wants of me. I am very grateful to God for the gift of my vocation which no one can take from me, including my family.

Edgerio Francisco Araujo Martins, nSJ


Holy Hour to pray for Vocations at
Jesuit Loyola Novitiate, Singapore

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