The health emergency creates new realities in initial formation
Due to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 18 candidates to the Marist religious life were not able to fellow their normal steps in the formation program. Ten of them would have had to go to the postulancy in Philippines and eight to the noviciate in Sri Lanka but they are now in Baucau following their formation together with the aspirants. Therefore, the Formation house, in addition to directing the aspirancy program, also conducts now the first year postulancy program and a “prenovitiate” program.
There are five Brothers at the formation house, two from Brasil (João Baptista – Brasil Centro-Sul – and Lécio Heckler – Brasil Sul-Amazônia) and three from Australia (Robert Spearen, Greg McDonald and Matthew Green).
In addition to the 18 young men mentioned, East Timor has 10 brothers in temporary profession in process of initial formation.
The Postulancy Ceremony
The 18th November, the eight new postulants were formally accepted into the postulancy program: Domingos Gomes, Dedimo Soares, Octoviano Correia, Simon Mendonca Maia, Edgar da Costa Salgueiro, Francisco da Costa Filipe, Ruben Belo de Oliveria, Manecas dos Santos. Joining them to renew their ongoing commitment to their formation were current postulants Ronaldo da Costa and Mario Soares, also stranded in Timor unable to return to Davao to continue the second stage of their postulant formation.
The Pre-Novitiate Ceremony
The 19th October, the 8 candidates that finished the Postulancy were welcomed into the ‘prenovitiate’ program during a simple prayer service.
Scholastic Brothers
Belonging to the 10 Brothers from the country in the initial formation, Brothers Jacinto and Melquiano have returned from MAPAC to Timor Leste to commence their professional studies at ICFP in 2021, joining the second Marist Community in the country, the Tirilolo Community. While awaiting the commencement of their studies in the new year, Jacinto and Melquiano are developing an 8-week pastoral ministry program with the parish priest at Lautem.