“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 […]
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 […]
A Journey of Growth and Gratitude: Reflections on My Two-Months Home Visit in East Timor
Dear Friends in Christ, I am thrilled to share with you the profound experiences and insights I gained during my recent two-months home visit to East Timor. This journey was not only a return to my homeland but also a deeply enriching period of learning, personal growth, and spiritual renewal that has significantly shaped my […]
Rediscovering Our Jesuit Identity: A Call to Embrace Our Origins
July proved to be a particularly eventful month for us. After the intensity of our exams, we enjoyed a well-deserved semester break, which took us to the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil. Our visit included a profoundly moving experience at Esperança (“Hope”), an old age home where a staff member’s words resonated deeply with […]
A Heartfelt Journey: Reflections on My Volunteering Experience
From July 10 to August 6, 2024, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Finance Office of the Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB). As a Certified Public Accountant with 30 years of experience, this was a unique opportunity for me to offer my skills not for professional gain, but for a profoundly meaningful […]
Celebrating St. Ignatius of Loyola: A Special Pilgrimage to Soibada
On July 31st, we commemorated the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, an important occasion for the community of Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loyola (CSIL) Kasait, Timor-Leste. This year, our celebration was particularly special as we had the unique opportunity to join the Ignatian family and collaborators of the Jesuit mission in East […]
Remarkable Moments on the Last Two Days of July 2024 for the East Timor Region of the Society of Jesus
On July 30-31, 2024, the Jesuits of the East Timor Region (ETR) celebrated two significant milestones, namely, “the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the 125th anniversary of the Jesuit mission in Soibada, Manatuto, Timor-Leste. In addition, it was also the celebration of the 25 years of Fr. Joaquim Sarmento, SJ, as the first […]
“Ignatian Spirituality” and the Discernment of God’s Will and Ways
What is “Ignatian Spirituality”? Many of us who have heard of “Ignatian Spirituality” or have done the “Examen” prayer, would immediately respond, Ah I know – It is “Finding God in All Things.” Yes, I agree, but how have we experienced this “Finding God in All Things, and especially in our different ways of trying […]
Commemorating 125 Years of Jesuit Mission in Timor-Leste: Gratitude and Honor for The Past, Cherishing the Present With Love And, Anticipating The Future With Hope
Every year, on July 31, the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, celebrates the feast day of its founder St. Ignatius of Loyola. This celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the grace and vocation that God bestowed upon St. Ignatius, as well as his dedication and courage in fully committing himself to […]
“MAG+S has guided me from a life of darkness to a life of light”.
As a participant in the batch 9th in MAG+S Timor-Leste community this year. Initially, my motivation for joining MAG+S was simple: I wanted to share my experiences and learn from others. I had a limited understanding of this community and no specific goals for completing the program. I simply went with the flow. However, as […]