Journey to Nefontasa: First Mass of Father Marcos Apu, SJ
Sometimes, a vocation begins in a place where no one expects it to. In a small rural village, far from the city, a young person may grow up without ever imagining that one day he will stand before his own community as priest and a member of the Society of Jesus. Yet, for Father Marcos […]
I Found Deep Joy in Working with ISJB Staff
I have been surprised to realize that this has been my third consecutive year of coming to volunteer at Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB) in Kasait. It has become my yearly mission since 2024 to come to ISJB and report for work through ISJB’s Rector, Amu Isaias Caldas. I have tried to render services […]
A Journey of Learning and Growing in Wisdom and the Love of God.
Looking back on the two months since we completed our Juniorate formation, I feel truly grateful for the opportunity now to study Philosophy. Entering this new stage of my studies, has brought both excitement and challenges because Philosophy is very different from other subjects I have studied before. It uses many technical terms and abstract […]
When Communities Lead: Herlin’s Journey in Community Health Education
What happens when communities begin to take the lead in addressing their own health challenges? For Herlin, a Medical Ambassador International (MAI) volunteer working with the Centro Saude Duarte Orlando (CSDO). Team in Timor-Leste, the answer to this question has become clearer during her one-month experience of supporting the Community Health Education (CHE) program, and […]
Four New Jesuits Pronounce Their First Vows in Timor-Leste
On 15 August 2026, four new scholastics of the Society of Jesus in Timor-Leste pronounced their First Vows at the Centro de Espiritualidade Inaciana para a Paz e Reconciliação (CEIPAR) in Hera. Sch. Alvaro Augusto Alexandre de Araújo, SJ; Sch. Jose da Costa Pereira Soares, SJ; Sch. Moises Mendonca da Conceição, SJ; and Sch. Ronaldo […]
Inauguration of CEIPAR: A Place where Hope can take Root
On 31 July 2026, as the worldwide Ignatian family celebrated the Solemn Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuit community in Timor-Leste, together with Church and State representatives, religious men and women, young people, benefactors, donors and friends, gathered in Hera (eastern part of Díli) for a celebration that brought together two meaningful moments: […]
More Than a Gathering: Reflections from the 11th WUJA 2026
I would like to begin my reflection considering the question: What does it mean to be a Jesuit alumnus? And, more importantly, what can a Jesuit alumnus do to bring people closer to God, transform the lives of others, and bring peace, love, and compassion into the world? These questions may lead us to many […]
Encounter St. Ignatius Through Jesuit Eyes
Who is Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century Spanish saint who, together with his companions, founded the Society of Jesus? And why does the spiritual insight of this man continue to be relevant to men and women of the 21st century? These are interesting questions that can guide our reflection on his legacy to the Church […]
The Ignatian Examen: A Little Monk in An Intense World
One of the greatest gifts of Ignatian Spirituality is the Ignatian Examen. Saint Ignatius of Loyola himself considered it a gift that came directly from God. Its five steps—being aware of God’s presence, offering gratitude, reviewing the day, being aware of shortcomings and making plans for the coming day—invites us to always be in touch […]
Summer Intersession: Surprise, Consolation, and Learning
Summer Intersession is one of the annual apostolate programs of the Loyola House of Studies (LHS) in the Philippines. Its purpose is to send Jesuit scholastics to different provinces, immersing them for one month in the various ministries of the Society of Jesus. This year, from 2 June to 2 July, we were assigned to […]