Commencement of 2020 Aspirancy in Baucau

Thursday 5th March 2020, ten aspirants started their vocational journey towards being Marist Brothers at the Marist Formation House in Baucau, Timor Leste. During Mass, the ten aspirants committed themselves to following the aspirancy programme with the help of the Holy Spirit and taking Mary and Champagnat as their models. The Mass was celebrated by Father Manuel (Salesian) who is parish priest of Baucau. After their commitment, Father Manuel blessed each one individually and Brother Greg McDonald presented each one with a cross.

The Brothers at the formation house are Lécio Heckler (Brasil Sul-Amazônia), Robert Spearen (Australia), João Baptista (Brasil Centro-Sul) and Greg McDonald (Australia).

Timor-Leste has shown itself to be a place full of vitality for Marist life, animated by two communities with Brothers from Australia and Brazil. In addition to the formation community, a community of 3 Brothers (two from Australia and one from Brasil Centro-Norte) works in the formation of teachers at the Catholic Teachers’ College (ICFP – Instituto Católico para a Formação de Professores ).

A Marist School will be built in the coming month. According to the plans of the Province of Australia, work should begin in the middle of the year and it should receive the first students in 2022.

In terms of vocation to Marist religious life, native of the country, besides this group of aspirants in Baucau, there are currently three Brothers in initial formation, 10 novices (in Sri Lanka) and 10 postulants (in the Philippines).