Three Days with Pope Francis: Timor-Leste Feels Blessed and Nostalgic
In 1989, Pope John Paul II visited Timor-Leste when our country had been invaded by the Indonesian military since 1975. Many Timorese people died in the war; we lost our parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and, loved ones. Timor-Leste is a country that has endured immense suffering, but Pope John Paul II’s visit became a turning […]
“ONWARD WITH CORAGEOUS PRUDENCE” Jesuits Meeting with Pope Francis
10 September 2024 Nunciature, Dili, Timor-Leste Transcript of the Meeting by Fr. Antonio Spadaro, SJ After meeting with bishops, priests and consecrated persons in Dili Cathedral, Pope Francis met with 42 Jesuits from the country at around 11 a.m. on September 10. After the greetings, the regional superior, Erik John Gerilla, addressed a brief greeting […]
Meeting the Pope: Self-Reflections from Jesuit
The excitement in the air was palpable as the Pope visited our midst. In the days leading up to his arrival in Timor-Leste, I closely followed his talks and meetings in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. When his plane finally touched down at Dili Airport, I felt immense relief, grateful for his safe travel and […]
“Beyond the Gift: Pope Francis’ Call to Daily Prayer for World Peace Through the Rosary”
It is a common gesture of Pope Francis that, whenever he visits a country, he gives a rosary to those he encounters. But what is deeper within this? What message does the Pope want to convey? Even during meetings with Jesuits on his visits, he hands them a rosary. Could this be his way of […]
Adveniat Regnum Tuum: “Jesuits are called to be companions of the companion of the Lord”
As a young Jesuit who just started laboring in God’s Vineyard, I have always looked up to a brother, a father, and a companion who had spent their whole life laboring in God’s Mission fully before me. One of the thousands that I admire are Jesuit Missionaries who had been a special witness of self-abnegation […]
“I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.”
Life as a scholastic is mainly about being “Sent to Study” to help grow the kingdom of God and to be ready to act where needed. At Loyola House of Studies (LHS) in the Philippines, our formation starts with activities that build relationships among the scholastics and with the formators. These activities create a strong […]
Personal Reflection on Our Journey with Father Joaquim, SJ, to the Mountains of Cacusa
As I reflected on our journey with Father Joaquim, SJ, to the mountains of Cacusa, I experienced God’s love in a profound way that led me to discover His presence in creation. Cacusa is the highest mountain in Dili, and at one moment, I witnessed the beauty and deep peace of the. This filled my […]