Timor-Leste - A Lively End to the Year for the Marists in Timor

November and December 2025 were especially busy months for the Brothers in Timor-Leste, across the Scholasticate, Postulancy and Aspirancy. From defending their theses at the ICFP to welcoming visitors from across the Province, there was a real sense of life and activity in the Marist community during these weeks.

ICFP SCHOLASTICS COMPLETE MONOGRAPH EXAM

November at ICFP can be a fairly stressful month especially for fourth year licentiate students who undergo a rigorous public exam to defend their monograph thesis, which they have been preparing for much of the academic year.

Br Gaspar during his Monograph exam

Our fourth year Scholastic Brothers; Gaspar Te'un, Isac de Jesus Quintao and Melquiano Obe successfully completed the requirements of the exam and can now proceed to graduation in early 2026. The Brothers are very appreciative of their professor/s who accompanied them during their Licenciatura process. Congratulations, Brothers!

PILGRIMAGE TO MOUNT MATEBIAN

Mount Matebian, or 'Mountain of the Dead', is a revered site located in the Baucau district above the townships of Quelicai and Baguia. It holds historical and cultural significance, with its peak reaching an elevation of 2,372 metres (7,782 ft) it is among the ultra-prominent peaks of the Malay Archipelago. Matebian's ascent is a spiritual journey for many locals, reflecting the resilience and spirit of the Timorese people.

Sunrise photo at the summit with Nossa Senhor de Foho Matebian

During World War II and the Indonesian occupation, the mountain served as a sanctuary for resistance fighters, which is a testament to its challenging trails and remote location. It commands panoramic views over the district of Baucau, and to some extent, the entire eastern part of the island. With its lush surroundings, the mountain is home to diverse flora and fauna, contributing to the region's biodiversity.

To the month of Holy Souls during November and as a way of participating in a pilgrimage during this Year of Jubilee, the Scholastic brothers and several colleagues from ICFP climbed Mount Matebian, camping overnight on the ascent. Many of the brothers carried photos or memorabilia of their deceased family members and loved ones, praying for them at the peak of Matebian. A wonderful pilgrimage!

WELCOME TO BR BRYAN DAVIS AND BR BILL SULLIVAN

Br Bryan Davis is the co-Coordinator for Initial Formation in the Province. He made his annual visit of the formation houses in Timor-Leste during November. Accompanying Br Bryan was Br Bill Sullivan former Director of the Hermitage at Mittagong and who now provides spiritual direction to several young Brothers in Stage 2 of their post-novitiate formation.

Br Bill receiving a ceremonial tais from Br Salvador at Triloka

Both Brothers met with the Timor-Leste Formation Team during their stay. This was Br Bill’s first visit to Timor-Leste and he came away enthused by warm welcome and the positive spirit and energy among the young brothers, postulants and aspirants.

Br Bill and Br Bryan at Teulale

SCHOLASTICS’ ANNUAL RETREAT - TRILOKA

After a full year of academic studies, 15 Scholastic brothers took time out for their annual retreat which was held this year at Vila Marista Boa Mãe, Triloka. The retreat was directed by Fr Sacha Bermudez-Goldman, SJ from the Jesuit Community in Casait.

Interestingly in his Christmas letter to friends back in Australia, Fr Sacha wrote the following about his experience of directing the retreat.

"During the retreat, I had the opportunity to speak with each one of them, and I was really touched by their commitment and enthusiasm to serve others. As is often the case here, they all have had their share of struggles and challenges, but that seems to have only fuelled their enthusiasm to help others and contribute to children’s education. Though there were silent times during the retreat, there were also times when they could talk, and these were usually filled with a lot of joyous laughter!”

Thank you, Fr Sacha, for your reflections and accompanying our Scholastic brothers during their retreat.

NEWS FROM MAPAC AND TUDELLA

Congratulations to Br Manecas Dos Santos and Br Simon Mendonca Maia who, along with their 2024 profession batch, have completed their post-Novitiate stage 1 studies at MAPAC in the Philippines.

Welcome home, Brothers!

Br Simon (second from left) and Br Manecas (right) with Chaplain at their graduation and conclusion Mass for the MAPAC program

THANK YOU ICFP TEACHERS!

Our aspirants are blessed to have a variety of teachers across a range of subject areas to introduce them to Marist initial formation. Among our staff we have two inspiring teachers from ICFP, whose presence we value greatly.

Mestra Joaquina Belo

Mestra Agata Moreira Freitas teaches Pedagogia Marista, on the characteristics of Marist education and the fundamentals of teaching children according to our charism and ethos. Mestra Agata brings her professional expertise and deep knowledge of the Marist charism in helping our young men begin to grasp why Marist education is both unique and formative in the lives of children.

Mestra Agata Moreira Freitas

Mestra Joaquina Belo teaches Psychology and Human Development. This subject helps the aspirants in terms of coming to understand themselves better as human beings and Timorese men with their unique personalities and character traits. Mestra Joaquina possesses a wonderful pastoral approach and knowledge of each aspirant as they come to understand and accept their personal story, both psychological and vocational up to the point of entry into religious formation.

We are very grateful for both of our ICFP teachers who generously offer their time and talents to work with the aspirants. Thank you, Mestra Agata ad Mestra Joaquina!

-Contributed by Br Greg McDonald, Provincial Delegate to Timor-Leste & Cambodia