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 […]
Timor-Leste: POPE FRANCIS MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE (last day in Timor-Leste)
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS “Centro de Convenções” (Dili, Timor Leste)Wednesday, 11 September 2024 ___________________________ Dadeer di’ak! (Good morning!) First of all, I will ask all of you a question, and we will see who can answer it: What do young people do? You [pointing to a young woman]. [the young woman]. “Proclaim Christ!” Very good. […]
Timor-Leste: POPE FRANCIS HOMILY in TASI-TOLU, DILI
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS Esplanade of Tasi-Tolu (Dili, Timor Leste)Tuesday, 10 September 2024 _________________________ “A child has been born for us, a son given to us” (Is 9:6). With these words, in the first reading, the prophet Isaiah addresses the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was a prosperous time for that city, but sadly also characterized by […]
Timor-Leste: POPE FRANCIS MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, DEACONS, CONSECRATED PERSONS, SEMINARIANS AND CATECHISTS
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Dili, Timor Leste)Tuesday, 10 September 2024 ___________________________ Dear brother Bishops,Dear priests, deacons, consecrated persons and seminarians,Dear catechists, brothers and sisters, good morning! Many of the youngest – seminarians, young religious – remained outside. And now, when I saw the bishop, I told him that he has […]
Timor-Leste: POPE FRANCIS VISIT TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OF THE IRMÃS ALMA SCHOOL
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS Irmãs Alma School (Dili, Timor Leste)Tuesday, 10 September 2024 ___________________________ There is one thing that always makes me think. When Jesus talks about the final judgement, he says to some people: “Come with me”, but he does not say: “Come with me because you were baptized, because you were confirmed, because […]
Timor-Leste: POPE FRANCIS MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS Presidential Palace Hall (Dili, Timor Leste)Monday, 9 September 2024 ___________________________ Mr President,Mr Prime Minister,Distinguished members of the Government and Diplomatic Corps,Your Eminence, dear brother Bishops,Representatives of Civil Society,Ladies and Gentlemen! I thank you for the kind and joyful welcome to this beautiful country of Timor-Leste. I am grateful to the President, […]