POSPA: In East Timor the Major Seminary in Dili celebrates its first 25 years

Young people happy to live their vocation by following Christ and serving the Church every day. This is the reality that is lived at the Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Dili in East Timor, which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its foundation.

The small South-East Asian country, where more than 90 percent of the population is Catholic, just under a year ago received a visit from Pope Francis, who met, among others, the seminarians in Dili. 

In 25 years, 989 men have studied and received formation at the Major Seminary, including diocesan and religious seminarians. Of these, 118 young men have been ordained priests.

Today, 245 seminarians study in the structure. These days they were visited by Fr Alessandro Brandi, an official of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle (POSPA), who concelebrated the Holy Mass for the 25th year of foundation in the square of the Major Seminary. The rite was presided over by Norberto do Amaral, Bishop of Maliana and President of the Episcopal Conference of East Timor. The Bishop of Baucau, Leandro Maria Alves, was also present.

During the celebrations, in addition to moments of celebration, there were also meetings with seminarians from the other two structures present in Dili: the "St. John Mary Vianney" propaedeutic Seminary and the “Our Lady of Fatima” minor Seminary. To date, there are 106 young people in the former, and 195 in the latter.

Father Alessandro had the opportunity to explain in detail the vocation and activities of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, focusing especially on the Pontifical Mission Societies, dwelling above all on POSPA and how funds are raised for subsidies that then reach the island to support the formation of seminarians.

"Be happy seminarians, always maintain and nurture a good relationship with your formators. And vice versa," was the official's final recommendation.