By Bernadinus Tertius Asmon SVD (Bedi)

I was born in a small town called Ruteng in the western part of Flores, Indonesia, the youngest of three children. I became interested in becoming a religious when I was 6 years old. But my mother told me that becoming a priest was already my answer, when I was 3 years old, when I was asked “what do you want to be”. When I was little, I really enjoyed watching our parish priest distributing communion. This amazement drew me to create my own ‘liturgy’ at home. I put all my snacks in a bowl and distributed them to my sister and brother. Both of them kept coming back to me for the snack until the bowl was empty. What was in it for me? Not just snacks, but an enjoyment of giving and sharing.

In 1998 I entered the minor seminary, quite a distance from my hometown, when I was 12 years old. There were 111 boys in my class. I spent six years in this minor seminary. I learnt a lot about life; love, friendship, study, work, prayer, discipline and music (to name a few) in the seminary. Every morning we woke up at 4:45 am and attended Morning Prayer followed by mass. In the final year there were only 37 of us left. In the same year I was asked to make a decision whether I would like to join a diocesan or religious order. I decided to join the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) and I was accepted to join the novitiate.

I entered the novitiate on August 19, 2004. I met different people from different backgrounds who then became my friends. I entered into a new community and adapted to its environment. Spiritual life was the focus of formation in the novitiate. I got to know the history and spirituality of the SVD. On the 15th of August 2006, I took my first vows in the society of the Divine Word. This was one of the most significant events of my life. I took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience; I was overwhelmed with love, support and prayer. My family, relatives and friends were there. They witnessed my first vows before God for religious life.

I continued my formation in St Paul Major Seminary in Ledalero, Eastern Flores. In Ledalero I studied philosophy and theology. During that time, twice a month, I spent my weekends (fortnightly) with families in the nearby village. I encountered a slightly different culture and I had to learn the language which enabled me to converse with them.

In 2009, I was selected to pursue my theological studies and overseas training in Australia. It was hard to leave many good friends, family, and many familiar things behind. I arrived in Melbourne on January 3, 2010. Coming to Australia is another significant event. I have no relative at all in this new country but I have my SVD brothers. I have some people who I can lean on and God’s presence and providence come through them. At present I live in Box Hill, Melbourne in the Dorish Maru community. That’s one of the most multicultural communities I have ever lived in, with priests and seminarians coming from more than 10 nationalites. This community helps me a lot to celebrate the similarities as well as the life-giving differences between individual persons. We celebrate our life in prayer, in music, and other community activities.

I had to take an English course for five months before I began my theological studies in July 2010 at Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill. I had to familiarise myself with theological terminologies, the accent of the lecturers, get used to the assignment and essay writing skills, etc. Along with my Theological studies in Yarra Theological Union, I started my pastoral work. I work on a voluntary basis, once a week in The Way Community (2010-2011). It is home to ten men; all of whom have experienced homelessness and many are facing the challenges of alcoholism and psychiatric disability. Here I encountered people in need, a need which cannot be given or fulfilled with money only, but through a presence, of ‘being with’! This was, for me, an entirely new way of doing pastoral work.

On August 10, 2011, I took another pastoral placement, namely Rosies Oblate Youth Mission. Its mission is being "Friends On The Street." I go on Wednesday and operate a coffee bus offering friendship and hospitality through the simple gesture of a free hot or cold drink. I really enjoy being with the people, listening to their precious stories and I am very thankful because most of the time I am transformed and enriched by their stories. Language still remains the major issue in conversing with different people in the street. I find it hard if they mumble and speak fast. But, what stays in me is that a desire to understand and be understood by them has become a driving force to improve my Australian English. Besides, I have come to realize that our body and presence does speak something to others.

I completed my theological studies last semester. I am in the final stage of my formation. I am looking forward to my final vows preparation; final vows itself, my ordination and my first mission assignment. I believe that my ‘snack bowl’ will never be empty if I continue to journey with God and others.