After 4 years of doing God’s mission in Colégio Santo Inácio de Loyola (CSIL)-Kasait as sign of his obedient to the Regional Superior, Fr. Isaías Abilio Caldas continues God’s mission as a Jesuit at the Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB). This institute was established by the Jesuit Mission Timor-Leste to provide education to Timorese youth, especially in the field of education. ISJB was founded in 2016, and following Fr. Sidelizio’s tenure as rector, Fr. Isaías received the rectorship in response to the vows of obedience stemming from the decision of the Superior of the Jesuit Region, Fr. Erik John Gerilla, SJ.
Fr. Isaías’s initial impressions as rector of ISJB included questioning the very meaning of the title and how he could embody a quality rector in the context of Ignatian values at ISJB. “After assuming the position of rector, I began to learn what it means to be the rector of ISJB and what the role entails,” he said. Although he had been familiar with the Institute since its establishment, he had not known the environment at the academy in detail.
Fr. Isaías affirms, “In my role as rector, I constantly observe and assess my work to discover how to fulfill my responsibilities. I have experienced mixed feelings; as people encounter new situations in life, we need time to adapt. Sometimes I don’t feel secure, but mostly I feel excited because I have a desire to contribute to Timor through the responsibilities I have received as rector.”
He continued, “The transition from CSIL to ISJB has been a journey that has deepened my understanding of God’s trust in me to carry out His mission as a Jesuit.” Fr. Isaías also feels challenged, noting that many people are unfamiliar with ISJB. Many students enroll at ISJB because they did not gain admission to the National University of East Timor (UNTL). The Institute’s funding relies on donors, and many students struggle to communicate effectively in an academic setting during their first and second years.
Despite these challenges, the leadership at the Instituto São João de Brito is committed to their vocation. Fr. Isaías stated, “As rector, I observe my teachers in a spirit that always motivates students to strive for personal excellence in both academic and spiritual contexts. I feel a sense of pride, especially when students are finalizing their theses. This process makes ISJB feel more like a family than just an institute.” The relationships among teachers and students, as well as among students themselves, are characterized by support and companionship, fostering a sense of sympathy and willingness to help each other.
As a Jesuit institution, ISJB creates an environment where all students can explore their personal abilities, emphasizing their service in seeking assistance. “Students consistently help one another, not just in their academic lives but also in understanding the broader realities as a human being. This is evident, maybe because we implement our regular mass every Friday, where they practice the values of Ignatian compassion,” explained Fr. Isaías.
ISJB focuses not only on academic capacity but also on spiritual development. The Institute conducts various activities such as a Mass schedule every Friday and examination of conscience twice a week, along with retreats and recollections to help students recognize how God has supported them in their endeavors.
Fr. Isaías hopes that ISJB will help develop students’ character, fostering good leadership skills and a clear vision for the future. “We also provide character building for students and teachers, as well as leadership trainings, with the aim of making ISJB an institute of quality that equips students with the skills needed for the workplace and their future careers,” he added.
According to information from the Institute, “Many ISJB alumni have made significant contributions to their communities in rural areas, teaching in remote locations. We aim to transform education from the grassroots level to create a positive impact for all Timorese.”
Through ISJB, we hope that the Jesuit mission in Timor will continue to contribute to the country and its people, particularly in supporting education in rural areas. [Source: Fr. Isaías Caldas] [Editor: Iriana-ETR CDA]