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Celebrating Saint Dominic of Guzmán in Timor-Leste: A Historic Day of Fellowship!
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Dominican Family gathered at the Parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Maubisse for a beautiful Eucharistic Celebration, honoring the translation of Saint Dominic’s mortal remains in Bologna, Italy, back on May 24, 1233. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and historic milestones for us! How Our Day Began Our day started early at 8:00 AM to pick up the cakes from the bakery—our community's delicious share of food for the OP Family Gathering! A Full House & A Holy Mass The Maubisse Parish was nearly full, bringing together four female OP Congregations in Timor-Leste and the Holy Rosary Fathers, alongside youth, collaborators, and formands. It was a wonderful opportunity for connecting and exchanging pleasantries! The Holy Mass was presided over by Fr. Cesar (the first OP Priest) and concelebrated by Fr. Joao and Fr. Matthew of the Maubisse parish, together with OP Fathers Fr. Ruben, Fr. Pius, and Fr. John. A Historic First for Our Institute! This was a deeply special day for our Institute, as we were represented for the very first time by Sr. Jean Bergado! We pray this is the first of many beautiful celebrations to come. We were also blessed to have our candidate, Amira, join us, and we were so happy to see the ladies from Beto—Amacu, Elvie, and Aida—who we hope find the inspiration to try the congregation! Food and Fellowship Following the Mass, everyone shared a wonderful agape lunch together, which was immediately followed by a joyful program. May the spirit and legacy of Saint Dominic continue to guide, inspire, and grow our mission! |
在東帝汶慶祝聖道明瞻禮：充滿友愛共融的歷史性一天！✨
2026年5月23日（星期六），道明大家庭齊聚毛比塞（Maubisse）聖母無染原罪堂，舉行隆重而美好的感恩聖祭，以紀念1233年5月24日於義大利波隆那（Bologna）舉行的聖道明遺骸遷移慶典。 這一天充滿了喜樂、團契，以及對我們而言具有歷史意義的重要時刻！ 🍰 一天的開始 當天早上8點，我們早早出發前往麵包店領取蛋糕，作為我們團體為道明大家庭聚會所準備的美味分享。 🙏 滿堂共聚與神聖感恩祭 毛比塞堂區幾乎座無虛席，東帝汶四個道明會女性修會團體、玫瑰省道明會神父，以及青年、合作夥伴和培育中的成員齊聚一堂。這是一個彼此交流、建立情誼的美好機會！ 感恩聖祭由Cesar神父（首位道明會司鐸）主祭，Maubisse堂區的Joao神父與Matthew神父共祭，並有道明會的Ruben神父、Pius神父及John神父一同參與。 🎉 本會院歷史上的第一次！ 這一天對我們修會而言格外特別，因為這是Jean Bergado修女首次代表本會院參與此項慶典！我們祈求這只是未來許多美好慶祝活動的開始。🌟 我們也非常高興候選人Amira與我們同行，並且欣喜地見到來自Beto的Amacu、Elvie和Aida。我們期望她們能受到啟發，願意進一步認識並嘗試加入本修會。🙏✨ 🍽️ 美食與共融 感恩祭後，大家共享豐盛的愛筵午餐，隨後展開充滿歡樂的聯誼節目。 願聖道明的精神與榜樣繼續引領、啟發並推動我們的使命不斷成長！🕊️❤️ |
First Month: Reflection on the Commencement of the Timor Leste Mission (2026)
The beginning of the mission in Timor Leste is a moment of grace marked by trust, courage, and God’s quiet providence. From the very start, the sending off of Sr. Jean was not simply a departure, but a visible sign of mission—of being sent where the need is great and the path still unfolding. The prayers, the Salve, and the accompaniment to the airport reminded us that mission is never done alone; it is always carried by the prayer of the community.
Arrival in a new land brought both consolation and challenge. The warm welcome of the SPC sisters and the rhythm of daily prayer and Eucharist created an immediate sense of belonging. In this new environment, God revealed His presence through simple gestures of hospitality, fraternity, and shared faith. The first days were filled with uncertainty—searching for housing, learning a new language, navigating unfamiliar systems. Yet, in these ordinary struggles, a deeper invitation emerged: to trust. The eventual finding of a suitable house after weeks of searching stands as a clear sign of God’s providence. What seemed difficult at first gradually unfolded according to His time. Encounters with people became a central grace of the mission. Conversations with Church leaders, especially the Cardinal, helped clarify the direction of the mission, particularly in the field of education and formation. There is a growing awareness that education—especially in English and Chinese—can become a meaningful way of serving the local Church and society. At the same time, simple encounters—meeting students, young people, and possible candidates—revealed a thirst for growth, learning, and deeper meaning. These moments highlight that mission is not only about structures and plans, but about relationships and presence.
The beginning of teaching at AROMD-TL and participation in parish life mark important first steps in apostolic engagement. Even small efforts, such as teaching a first English class or joining the choir at Mass, become seeds of a larger mission. They remind us that the mission grows quietly, often in hidden and humble ways. There are also real challenges: language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the complexity of administrative processes. Yet these are part of the journey. They invite patience, humility, and openness to learning. Each difficulty becomes an opportunity to rely more deeply on God. Looking back at these first weeks, one sees not just a list of activities, but a story of God’s faithful guidance. Doors have opened, relationships have begun, and a foundation has been laid. The mission is still young, fragile even, but full of hope. In all these, the call is clear: to continue walking in faith, to remain attentive to the signs of the times, and to serve with generosity wherever the Lord leads.
The mission in Timor Leste is not simply a project—it is a participation in God’s ongoing work among His people.
The beginning of the mission in Timor Leste is a moment of grace marked by trust, courage, and God’s quiet providence. From the very start, the sending off of Sr. Jean was not simply a departure, but a visible sign of mission—of being sent where the need is great and the path still unfolding. The prayers, the Salve, and the accompaniment to the airport reminded us that mission is never done alone; it is always carried by the prayer of the community.
Arrival in a new land brought both consolation and challenge. The warm welcome of the SPC sisters and the rhythm of daily prayer and Eucharist created an immediate sense of belonging. In this new environment, God revealed His presence through simple gestures of hospitality, fraternity, and shared faith. The first days were filled with uncertainty—searching for housing, learning a new language, navigating unfamiliar systems. Yet, in these ordinary struggles, a deeper invitation emerged: to trust. The eventual finding of a suitable house after weeks of searching stands as a clear sign of God’s providence. What seemed difficult at first gradually unfolded according to His time. Encounters with people became a central grace of the mission. Conversations with Church leaders, especially the Cardinal, helped clarify the direction of the mission, particularly in the field of education and formation. There is a growing awareness that education—especially in English and Chinese—can become a meaningful way of serving the local Church and society. At the same time, simple encounters—meeting students, young people, and possible candidates—revealed a thirst for growth, learning, and deeper meaning. These moments highlight that mission is not only about structures and plans, but about relationships and presence.
The beginning of teaching at AROMD-TL and participation in parish life mark important first steps in apostolic engagement. Even small efforts, such as teaching a first English class or joining the choir at Mass, become seeds of a larger mission. They remind us that the mission grows quietly, often in hidden and humble ways. There are also real challenges: language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the complexity of administrative processes. Yet these are part of the journey. They invite patience, humility, and openness to learning. Each difficulty becomes an opportunity to rely more deeply on God. Looking back at these first weeks, one sees not just a list of activities, but a story of God’s faithful guidance. Doors have opened, relationships have begun, and a foundation has been laid. The mission is still young, fragile even, but full of hope. In all these, the call is clear: to continue walking in faith, to remain attentive to the signs of the times, and to serve with generosity wherever the Lord leads.
The mission in Timor Leste is not simply a project—it is a participation in God’s ongoing work among His people.
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