Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Ferdinandus Ola Amang, but in my Vice-Province I am better known as Juna or Arjuna. I was ordained a priest on 7 October 2020 in Jakarta, Indonesia, my hometown. Since 2022 I have been accepted as an Ad Gentes Missionary and now belong to the Vice-Province of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. I have been in this mission land for almost three years.
What inspired you to choose to become a missionary?
I would say that the idea that drove me to become a missionary is the result of several meetings I had with some great missionaries. I have met some foreign missionaries since I was a little boy, in our city. In the years of initial formation, especially when I was sent to Timor Leste for the first year of practical formation, I met some great Salesian missionaries. I would like to remember their names in particular: Fr José Carbonell, Dc. Baltasar Pires, Fr Eligio Locatelli, Fr Henry Bonetti and other great missionaries of other Congregation who worked in my city. Looking and reflecting on these exemplary missionaries, I began to take an interest in becoming an Ad Gentes Missionary myself. This intention and dream then became deeper and stronger as I studied Theology, and I happily chose this missionary life.
Are you happy with where you are going? Do you have any fears about the new place, culture and people?
I am happy with the place I am currently assigned to. The confreres in my Salesian community, the young people where I carry out my service and our lay missionary partners are all very helpful and collaborative in the mission. As you may know, the current situation in Papua New Guinea is not as safe as in any other country, and I sometimes feel some discomfort. However, this kind of feeling pushes me to have more trust in God's Providence and in the protection of our Blessed Virgin Mary.
How did your family, friends and companons react when you told them about your missionary vocation?
My relatives had no particular reaction when they learned of my missionary desire, because for them, since I was already a religious and a priest, I could be assigned to any place in the world. My companions understood my decision, because this desire has grown since I was an aspirant and then it has matured and I have always shown a particular interest in missionary life and works.
What are your plans and dreams for your missionary life?
I have very simple plans and dreams for my missionary life: to have a greater love for the people I will serve. This love for people, especially for young people, will push me to be useful to the mission and to put myself at the service of people in need.
Do you have models of great missionaries whose style and life you would like to follow?
I mentioned above some names of great missionaries. I hope and pray that I can live, like them, my Salesian missionary life in a faithful and fruitful way.
What is your message to young people about missionary choice and vocation?
Here is a friendly message I would like to share with young people. Being a missionary or volunteer means being able to love others. As St Luke writes in the book of the Acts of the Apostles: "In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive." I think that through this lifestyle we can be happier and our dream of becoming saints is guaranteed and assured. Let's make this our way of life. Long live the Missionaries, Long live Don Bosco.
