On the Feast of the Assumption, Brothers in Timor-Leste Come Together to Explore the Calls of the 23rd General Chapter
- maristbrothers
- 2 hours ago
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Updated: 27 minutes ago
Saturday, 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, was the occasion for a beautiful gathering of the Brothers in Timor-Leste at Vila Marista Boa Mãe, Triloka. The gathering unfolded in three parts.
In the first part, 27 Brothers and three novices, currently undertaking their pastoral program from the Tudella Novitiate in Sri Lanka, gathered to reflect on the Calls of the 23rd General Chapter, held last year in the Philippines. We were happy to welcome Br Angel Medina, Director of the Marist Novitiate in Tudella, who was visiting the novices in Lautem.
Using the Chapter theme, “Home for All, River of Life”, the Brothers gathered around a blue cloth symbolising the Gier River. Five large stepping stones represented the five Calls of the Chapter: Vocation, Spirituality, Community, Governance and Leadership, and Mission.
The Brothers then divided into small groups along the "Gier" to focus on one of the Calls.
Two key questions framed the discussions:
How does this Call touch my heart as a Brother today?
What does this mean for our shared life and mission today in Timor-Leste?
The mix of cultural backgrounds - Timorese, Pasifika and Australian - brought a rich variety of perspectives to the conversations. A summary from each group was later shared with the wider group.
The second part of the gathering was the celebration of the Eucharist for the Solemnity of the Assumption. The 10 postulants and eight aspirants joined the celebration, led by the Scholastic Brothers and celebrated by Padre Abraao, SDB (Salesian).
It was the second time since the opening of the Triloka Chapel in September last year that only the Brothers and those in formation had gathered together to celebrate the Eucharist. The vibrant singing and joyful celebration made the occasion memorable for everyone.
Towards the end of Mass, the newly created statue of Nossa Boa Mãe (Our Good Mother) was blessed.
The third and final part was a festive dinner accompanied by a celebration of music and dance. Melanesian dancing was led by Postulant Formator Br Raphael Fakaia and the postulants, followed by Timorese dancing and singing led by the Scholastics. The evening concluded with a selection of Australian folk songs, including Click Go the Shears, organised by Br Rod Thomson and his merry band.
The Assumption gathering certainly put a renewed spirit into the hearts of all those gathered and helped to strengthen our fraternity from the oldest to the youngest. It is good for us to be together as Brothers!
View more pics from the day:
-Br Greg McDonald, Provincial Delegate for Timor-Leste and Cambodia
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