Dili (Timor East). On 17 and 18 May 2025, at the community of Blessed Eusebia Palomino in Dili – Comoro, of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello Province (TIN), the 2nd edition of the Festival of the Oratory took place, with the theme “Open the door of hope,” a Province initiative involving the four Communities of Dili and other realities in the Country.
The objectives of this edition – in the year of the Jubilee and in the Triennium in preparation for the first FMA missionary expedition – were to strengthen the virtue of hope and infuse hope in children and young people, creating a festive moment to share joy and promote talents.
The first day of the Festival began with an exhibit on the FMA’s first missionary expedition to Argentina, prepared by the FMA’s Temporary Professed, Novices, and Postulants.
In addition to visits to the exhibit on hope and the first FMA missionary expedition, several competitions and initiatives were planned. These included: “Catechesis of the Jubilee”, a painting competition on canvas for young people and children, an intervention on the theme of hope, the prayer of Taizé, a contest on the Jubilee Anthem and a Jubilee dance for children, a choral competition and one for young soloists on the Jubilee.
Present at the event was the Provincial of the Province of Timor Indonesia, Sister Evangelina da Costa Xavier, who in her greeting to the children and young people said:
“Dear young people and children, put your hope in Jesus, not in things that pass away. Let your lives be guided by a sure purpose, not by fear or pressure. Be witnesses of hope for others, especially those who struggle to have it or have lost it. Let this hope live in you today and forever. In a world often full of noise, confusion, and uncertainty, I want to remind you that having hope is not only a feeling, but also a light that guides us in the darkness. Hope is the courage to dream, to resist, and to believe that your life has meaning and a purpose.”
During the day, testimonies of Salesian Saints such as Don Bosco, Mother Mazzarello, Laura Vicuña, and Dominic Savio were presented. There were also represented – by FMA Temporary Professed, Novices, Postulants, and young people from different oratories – the stories of the first FMA missionaries in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
The competition on the theme of hope was not only addressed to young people from the Salesian works, but also to young people from other realities. Each developed the theme according to their knowledge and skills, demonstrating creativity and talent.
After supper, the Taizé prayer was held on the theme “Christ is the hope of young people”. At the time of prayer, although it was a little late and the activities were intense, the young people and children participated with joy and intensity, as at every moment of the day.
On 18 May, there was an increase in the number of participants. A growing number of young people and children from oratorians wanted to share this celebration, bringing joy and enthusiasm. There were about 465 participants from different FMA oratory centers in the Dili area, including some groups that are not part of the FMA oratory.
All the activities of the festival of the oratory were aimed at accompanying children and young people to express their talents and develop others.
A young representative of Life Timor-Leste sports group expressed his joy at participating in this celebration. He stressed that the initiative, open to all children and young people to promote their talents, requires a path of commitment, in which success never comes alone, but through work and constant promotion.
Although coming from a different environment than the Salesian, he said that he had lived this experience different from the usual, but very familiar, with children, young people, and Sisters very active and involved.
The FMA also expressed their gratitude to the former oratorians who supported the Festival with their presence and their financial contribution. It is beautiful that the Past Pupils of the oratory support the present oratory, to continue to promote the talents of the new generations.
