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: the feast of St. Ignatius and the inauguration, blessing and first Eucharistic celebration at the Centro de Espiritualidade Inaciana para a Paz e Reconciliação (Center for Ignatian Spirituality for Peace and Reconciliation, in English), CEIPAR.
There was something deeply fitting about the CEIPAR inauguration on the feast of St. Ignatius. Ignatian Spirituality invites us to become attentive and to listen to what is happening within, to discern, and to seek God in all things. The journey of St. Ignatius himself was shaped by moments of stopping, searching and learning to recognize God’s presence. In this sense, CEIPAR offers a physical space for a similar journey: a place where people can step away from the noise of daily life, make room for silence and prayer, and listen more deeply to where God may be leading them in their own mission of peace, reconciliation and hope.
Indeed, Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB, reminded those gathered that CEIPAR is not simply a building, but a place to encounter God, strengthen faith and form people to become instruments of peace. “This Center will become a place where people can quiet their hearts, listen to the voice of God, and learn to love and serve others,” he said. His words capture something essential about the spirit behind CEIPAR: peace begins not only in society, but also in the human heart, where people learn to listen, forgive, discern and become more open to others.
The Eucharistic celebration placed this hope at the Centre of the gathering, becoming an act of thanksgiving and prayer for all who will one day enter its doors.
The Jesuits in Timor-Leste expressed their deep gratitude to all the benefactors and donors who helped make CEIPAR possible, especially those who generously supported the project from Singapore. Their gratitude was also extended to all the engineers, workers and teams who contributed their expertise, time and dedication throughout the construction. CEIPAR stands today not only because of a vision, but also because these and many other people quietly gave their hands, skills and resources to bring that vision into reality.
May CEIPAR become a place where hearts filled with questions, hopes, wounds and dreams find peace, where discernment leads to courage, and where reconciliation gives birth to new hope. May all who enter its doors discover, in the spirit of St. Ignatius, that God is present in all things – and that every encounter with God ultimately sends us back into the world ready to love and serve.
Written by Gracieta L. Ximenes (ETR Volunteer)