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During the baptism of his mother: (right to left) Fr. Nicodemus; his mother’s best friend; his mother, Susanna; a friend |
Where were you born and raised?
My name is Fr. Nicodemus (Aung Than) Aye, M.S. I was born on Nov. 28, 1974 in Loiykaw, Kayah State, in the southeastern part of Myanmar (Burma), near the border of Thailand. My father, Pasquale (Min Lwin), and my mother, Susanna (Own Kyi), led our family of six children, of whom I am the third oldest. Both my parents were farmers, harvesting rice. Of course we all took part in the tasks of the farm as we grew up. Presently my parents are in their 60’s and still work hard.
How did you first hear about La Salette?
After my high school graduation, I applied for our diocesan seminary. Our bishop, since he had many priests in our state, often sent seminarians to one of many religious orders to serve the church. He introduced me to Fr. Bernie Taylor, M.S., a native La Salette. I was just beginning my studies and I readily accepted my bishop’s suggestion to speak with Fr. Bernie since I was willing to be a priest and serve anywhere.
At that time, at the age of 20, I was learning English and Fr. Bernie invited me to enter my studies with La Salette at the National Shrine of Our Lady
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Fr. Nicodemus with fellow La Salettes at his Profession May 1, 2003 at La Salette in Silang, Cavite, Philippines |
of La Salette in Silang, Cavite, Philippines. In my first few years, I adjusted to the Filipino food, culture and language. I was most challenged by a new structure of education and a new way of learning.
What was your first ministry as a priest?
I was ordained on May 4, 2004 at the National Shrine and was assigned as Assistant Novice Master on the Shrine property. This was a beautiful experience for me to discover more deeply what religious life was all about and journey with the novices through these basics. It helped me to deeply reflect on my call to worship and service, prayer and mission. This was also an intensive experience of community life, with its benefits and its challenges. After serving for two years, I went back to my homeland.
What in your ministry as a priest are memorable experiences of reconciliation?
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Fr. Nicodemus (2nd from right) with his La Salette Priestly Ordination class in 2004 |
In Burma I was assigned to the Diocesan College Seminary as Spiritual Director of more than 80 seminarians, who came from five dioceses. It was a great challenge to be their director, confessor, teacher and I even took on other duties. In accompanying the seminarians, they were deeply into discernment of their priestly vocation. I enjoyed celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with them each week. And I also enjoyed giving retreats to seminarians in other seminaries in the area.
Also, a few months before I was due to leave for my new assignment at the Attleboro Shrine in the U.S., I found out from other Catholics that my mother, a devout Buddhist from birth, was now studying to become a Catholic. Only three days before I left, she took the long journey with a friend to see me.
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Fr. Nicodemus (extreme left) with his mother (3rd from right) and his relatives |
In the presence of the Bishop, she told me that “I fed you as a child with food and now, it’s your turn to feed me with the Eucharist, the Bread of Life!” At first, I thought she was joking but very soon afterwards, the bishop mentioned that I would be baptizing her on Palm Sunday, the day before I was to leave for the U.S. Then I felt somehow so privileged to be able to baptize and confirm my own mother! I felt a deep sense of Divine Providence that I should be given such a wonderful gift. My mother was so excited to surprise me because I originally had thought she only came to see me off at the airport.
On Palm Sunday afternoon, the bishop with about thirty of his faithful gathered with me and my mother. It was a really indescribable experience. We began with reciting the Holy Rosary and then went into the Rite of Initiation, including Baptism and Confirmation. The following morning I celebrated the Eucharist with the bishop, one priest and some religious sisters, along with my mother and her dearest friend. As I gave communion to my mother, I felt so grateful that I was now
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Fr. Nicodemus practicing with the Youth Choir before Sunday Mass at the Shrine in Chanthagone, Myanmar |
feeding her with the Bread of Life. This was an extreme moment of reconciliation for both my mother and myself. For me, in the sense of my being able to bring my mother to Jesus. For my mother, to receive Jesus through me.
What does the message of La Salette mean to you?
I am convinced that the La Salette message is for me the best way to serve God and to experience and witness to the divine mercy of God. My favorite passage is from St. Paul “to be all things to all (people).” It is much like Mary’s words to “make my message known to all my people.” The best way to express my own call as a religious and priest is as a La Salette. I meet so many people from so many nations and being a La Salette is a very unique way of bringing God’s presence to all those I meet.
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A La Salette Cross rises above the trees with a Burmese Pagoda in the background |
Fr. Nicodemus (center) with his mother (extreme right), their family and Fr. Roland Nadeau, M.S. (2nd from left) |