In the presence of a large crowd of Carmelites, parishioners, family and friends, Fr Anacleto Guterres Da Costa was ordained priest at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, Middle Park (VIC) on 3 May by Bishop Anthony Ireland (Auxiliary, Melbourne). The Carmelite Prior General, Fr Mícéal O’Neill, and Fr Robert Puthussery (General Councillor for Asia, Australia & Oceania), who were visiting from Rome, were also present as well more than 40 Carmelite, religious and diocesan priests. Anacleto's sister and brother-in-law travelled from Timor-Leste to be present at the Ordination and as Anacleto celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving the next day.
An especially touching moment during the Ordination came when Fr Anacleto embraced his brother, Fr Narcizio, also a Carmelite, and the congregation broke into spontaneous applause.
“I am very grateful to be Ordained here in Australia among so many friends and members of the Timorese community. I feel very supported and loved by the entire community who were present at both the Ordination and my Mass of Thanksgiving. I thank God for giving me this vocation and I pray and hope that I will continue to become the goodness of God everywhere,” Fr Anacleto said.
Anacleto joined the Carmelites in 2010. Following postulancy and novitiate, Anacleto made his first profession of vows in 2014 and began his Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Timor. In 2019 he arrived in Australia. After a year of English language studies, he began the Bachelor of Theology degree at the University of Divinity, Melbourne. Anacleto completed the degree in 2022 and a master’s degree in theological studies last year.
Anacleto made his Profession of Solemn Vows (life-long commitment in the Carmelites) on 16 July 2023. Since January, Anacleto has been ministering as a deacon in the parishes of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Coorparoo and Regina Caeli, Coorparoo Heights celebrating baptisms, weddings and funerals, as well as being involved in pastoral visitation, visitation of the sick and parish groups.
Anacleto chose the phrase, Go and do likewise from the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:37) as his motto, saying 'I want to be the goodness of God everywhere'.
Congratulations, Anacleto! May your ministry be rich and fruitful.
More photos below.
