Celebrating 125 years of the Jesuit Mission in Timor-Leste

On the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the Timor-Leste Jesuit Region marked 125 years since the first Jesuits arrived in Soibada in 1899. Regional Superior Fr Erik John J Gerilla SJ and Bishop of Baucau Diocese, Dom Leandro Maria Alves, led the celebration with a Mass together with the local community of Soibada. They also signed a plaque to commemorate the unwavering commitment of Portuguese Jesuit Fr Sebastião Aparicio da Silva SJ and his companions who started the Jesuit mission in the county, and the rest of the Jesuits who followed over the century. Their hard work has had a significant impact on the Timorese people, particularly in the field of education.

Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, former Regional Superior, says: "Soibada is a historical place. I am very proud of Jesuit Fr Sebastião Maria Aparicio da Silva for his great work in founding this place. Soibada is a rural and isolated area in this country. Now, many people know Soibada, partly because we also have the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Aitara as a National Religious Tourism site."

More on the 125th anniversary of the Jesuit mission in Timor-Leste here: jcapsj.org/2024/04/soibada-remembering-the-roots-of-the-jesuit-mission-in-timor-leste/

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