A New Dawn for Marist Mission in Timor-Leste: Colégio Marista Lautém Officially Inaugurated

maristbrothers
Sep 5
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

September 3, 2025 marked a new and beautiful chapter in the history of the Marist Mission in Timor-Leste. The first Marist school in the country, Colégio Marista, was officially inaugurated.

After years of planning and months of hard work, the school stands as a shining and concrete expression of the vibrant Marist spirit in the beautiful land of Timor-Leste.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Baucau, Dom Leandro Maria Alves, inaugurated and blessed the new Marist College building in Lautém on 3 September 2025. During the ceremony, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the generous people who contributed to the building of the College.

Following the inauguration, Br Paul Kane, the Principal of the school warmly welcomed the guests, honouring them with traditional tais.

**Br Peter Carroll with Bishop Dom Leandro Maria Alves (left)**

“We hope the school becomes a wonderful place where children can discover their talents and develop themselves,” said Br Paul Kane.

He also sincerely thanked the families who generously offered land and those who donated toward the construction of the school. Br Paul expressed his gratitude to Bishop Dom Leandro for supporting the school as part of the Church’s mission in Timor-Leste, especially in Lautém.

Br Paul Kane, the Principal of Colegio Marista Lautem welcoming the guests with traditional tais — **Br Paul Kane, the Principal of Colegio Marista Lautem welcoming the guests with traditional** ***tais***

In a short address, Br Peter Corr, President of FMTL, gave thanks and appreciation to all who contributed, especially Francisco Fernandes Xavier, Lucas da Cruz, and José Fernandes Xavier, representatives of the large family (uru-ha) who generously offered the land where Colégio Marista now stands.

Meanwhile, Br Peter Carroll, Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province, emphasised that Marist education is built on the “Four Fs”: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Future.

The Provincial further underlined three important points: that Faith is the essential foundation for the students in this school; Freedom must be lived as opportunities to broaden vision and open possibilities; and Future is entrusted to the children who will one day become leaders of the nation. “We hope and pray that the youth will continue to walk in the way of Mary,” he said.

**From Left - Br Paul Kane, Br Peter Carroll, Bishop Dom Leandro Maria Alves and Br Peter Corr**

Bishop Dom Leandro Maria Alves also expressed thanks, “We give thanks to God for all the blessings He has poured upon us - for this beautiful land we have received, and for the generous people willing to offer their land so that a good school could be built for our children. We thank the families who offered their land to the Marist Brothers, who, with great dedication, not only built this school building but also bring the wisdom of the Marist tradition to our children.”