In the first week of May, young Timorese from Jesuit schools, parishes, and youth groups gathered at Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (CSIL) in Kasait for an Ignatian Youth Camp organised by Mag+s Timor-Leste.
A total 117 people joined the event held from 4-7 May. Fr Roberto Encarnacao SJ, Mag+s Coordinator in Timor, invited the young people to begin the Ignatian camp with the spirit of the conversion of St Ignatius. “For St Ignatius, his conversion was a historical moment full of faith, hope, and love. So, I invite you all to enter into the realm of the conversion of St Ignatius with faith, hope and love, to see everything new in God, in yourselves, and in others.”
Jose Pereira Soares and Custodia de Araujo, the leaders of Mag+s Timor-Leste, told their fellow youth: “If you want to know God much better, to get closer to God, and to love God more, Ignatian Spirituality will help you accomplish all these in your spiritual journey and in your lives.”
Throughout the four days, the participants engaged in formation, spiritual exercises, and animation activities. During formation, they learned the process of discovering their inner desires by examining the life and conversion of St Ignatius, who allowed God to transform his life, from a soldier and a sinner, to a saint. The spiritual exercises involved reflection and sharing of experiences, preoccupations, goals, challenges, and a pilgrimage journey. In between, there were games, icebreakers, dance, and yoga to animate the participants.
Flavio Leite from Instituto Sao Joao de Brito (ISJB) was glad of the event. “It was a very delightful four days of conversion for me. I learned the true meaning of finding God in all things. During our pilgrimage, we took care of each other. Having brought no food with us, we knocked on doors and asked from families we met along our way. Even though some of them were poor, they shared their food with us. It was simple food but it showed us their care and compassion. What we experienced was true cura personalis. From that experience I have come to know the true meaning of ‘seeing all things new in Christ’. Everyone in our group, the people from whom we asked for food, everyone we met along the way, they were the resemblance and presence of Christ.”
Many of the participants expressed that they would like to make the Ignatian camp a yearly event because they had found it valuable in helping them find meaning in life and in deepening their spirituality. This first Ignatian Youth Camp in Timor-Leste had been possible with the financial support of Fr Philip Heng SJ, the Novice Master, and the logistical support provided by SABEH (a health organisation), Maubere Aitanan Band, Nalos Catering, ISJB, CSIL, and many individuals.
At the end of the camp, Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, the Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Timor, celebrated a thanksgiving Mass with Fr Encarnacao concelebrating. Each participant was given a certificate of appreciation for their involvement, dedication, and passion to be part of the Ignatian family, and their willingness to help promote Ignatian Spirituality, as well as vocations to the Society.
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