EMA-10 (MAG+S-TL Formation): Ignatian Leadership
To be part of MAG+S Timor-Leste formation is a dream come true. I have longed for the feeling of experiencing God’s presence in everything I see, do, hear, and live. With the accompaniment of my spiritual friends (in Tetum BEST: Belun Espiritual), we share our joys, our growth and,our struggles.
Coming from different family backgrounds, studies, municipalities, cultures and, ways of seeing life, MAG+S brings unity among us. The unity and care for others are real here—not only between us but also with the people we meet.
This thought and feeling were manifested in our 10th formation session on Ignatian Leadership. This formation session helped us to discover God’s hands and grace upon all of us. As Ignatian Leaders we must overcome our shyness as we experience other people’s lives, step outside our comfort zones, and be persons for others. We were divided into seven groups. I was in the last group, Group 7, and we went to the Audian area to help with parking. The rest went to different places: in Taibessi to sell vegetables; in Beduku River to scoop the sand; in Cacaulidun to be preachers of the Good News; to restaurants around Fatuhada to serve as waitresses and in Elemloi to sell cigarettes and phone loads (pulsa).
After the Mini-Experiment, we gathered in different groups to share our experiences. Did we feel God’s presence through the mini-experiment? What touched our hearts most while doing the work? This was simply to reflect on the concept of “Finding God in All Things.”
One of my friends, who comes from a wealthy family, shared her concern: “What if my family or relatives see me doing this experiment? How can I explain it to them?” She described how she and her group walked from Surikmas Chapel to Fatuhada, asking restaurant owner to let them help with labor—washing dishes, preparing food, or simply serving as waitress. At first, she thought they would be rejected, but instead, the owner warmly welcomed them. At that moment, she felt the owner did not come by herself alone, but that God was within her, helping them to do the experiment.
Another friend shared her story about working in the sand pits of Beduku River: “While I was doing the experiment, there was a moment that made me realize—when a truck came to the river and did not choose the sand we had gathered, hope was gone. The tiredness showed in the workers’ faces.”
For me, two men shouted at me, not knowing I was only there to help. My heart ached. A voice echoed inside me: “See! Most of the parking attendants receive this treatment when they do their job. You only need to respect them and consider their work not as shameful but as valuable. Every profession deserves dignity.”
In addition, two friends and I helped out a cigarettes vendor. Together, we earned almost $10 from selling. When our mini experiment was about to end, he wanted to give us money in gratitude. But we are not allowed to receive money. This was meant to test our trust in God’s providence. In the end, the vendor remained insisted us to take $2 to buy some cold water, and it solved most of our worry!
The experiences of that day helped most of us truly feel God’s presence. We thought we would face difficulties, rejection and unkindness—but instead, everything went well. I did not believe I could do the experiment, but that day, my heart was full of joy. No one forced me; I simply enjoyed it and trusted in God’s providence.
Thank you, MAG+S-TL. This experience helped us discover that even when we feel we cannot step out of our comfort zone, and even when we feel shy or overthinking, in the end everyone felt blessed and believed that God’s presence is real.
Written by: Iriana Soares (Participant of MAG+S-TL Batch 10).