A New Chapter Begins: Champagnat Marist Family Launches in Timor-Leste

maristbrothers
3 hours ago
1 min read

A significant milestone was reached in Timor-Leste on 25 March, with the official launch of the Marists of Champagnat, marking a new chapter in the growth of the Marist mission in the country.

Twenty-five lay women and men, together with Marist Brothers, gathered at Vila Marista Boa Mãe, Triloka, for the inaugural meeting, coming together to explore the spiritual family inspired by the charism of Marcellin Champagnat. The event was the culmination of more than a year of planning, with the Brothers in Timor-Leste strongly advocating for the formation of lay partners more formally connected to the Marist mission.

The day featured presentations from members of the Marists of Champagnat Committee, including Salvador Magno Ximenes, Joaquina Belo, Henriquieta Pereira da Costa, Br Melquiano Obe, and Br Greg McDonald. These sessions were complemented by small group discussions, shared prayer, and a communal meal, fostering both reflection and connection among participants.

While the Marist Brothers in Timor-Leste have long been supported by dedicated collaborators over the past 25 years, the establishment of this group reflects a desire for a more structured form of belonging - similar to other Champagnat family groups across the Province.

The newly formed community aims to nurture a vibrant spiritual family of Marists in Timor-Leste, with regular opportunities for formation, prayer, and celebration.