From 5-8 August 2024, the Minister General Br Massimo Fusarelli, accompanied by Br John Wong (Definitor General for Asia-Oceania) and Br Baptist D'Souza (Vice Director of Development Office), made an official visit to the brothers of the Foundation of Sao Antonio de Lisboa, Timor Leste.
The Order of Friars Minor has been present in Timor Leste since 1988, and this youthful and growing Foundation, which is dependent on the Province of St Michael the Archangel in Indonesia, now has 23 Solemn Professed friars, 32 Temporary Professed friars, 3 Novices and 6 Postulants. During the visit, Br Massimo and Br John met with the brothers in 3 different groups to listen to their sharings on their reality, challenges, hopes and dreams.
Dialogue sessions were held with FRATILES (Franciscan family of Timor Leste), representatives from 10 different Franciscan parish youth groups, and the parish priests and councils of the 3 different Franciscan parishes served by the Foundation. The Minister General reminded these groups about the importance of rebuilding the church beginning with oneself, the necessity of cultivating an interior life of faith and encounter with God, and the direction of the Holy Father towards a more synodal way of being Church.
In addition, Br Massimo, Br John and Br Baptist, accompanied by friars from Timor Leste and Indonesia, had an audience with Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB in Dili. They also visited the Friars' ecopastoral community in Weto; the Franciscan school, hostel; the currently combined Postulancy and Novitiate house in Fatucahi; and the almost-completed new Novitiate building and the site of the friars' future Sanctuary of St Anthony at Fatuberliu.
During this historical first visit by a Minister General of our Order to Timor Leste, Br Massimo was formally received at each place by traditional and civil leaders, with spectacular and colourful ceremonies of welcome, steeped in local cultural traditions. In this land of profound traditions, the union of culture and Church is greatly respected.
Indeed, in this young missionary presence of the Franciscan friars, where culture, faith and communion with the local Church are deeply held values, there is much hope for growth of the Church and Order.
Br John Wong, Definitor General for Asia-Oceania
