Dili (East Timor). From 24 July to 6 August 2025, Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños, General Councilor for Administration of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, made an animation visit to Mary Mazzarello Province (TIN) of Timor and Indonesia.
On 24 July, Sister Ena was welcomed at the Provincial House in Dili, Comoro, with words of welcome and traditional dances by aspirants, postulants, and novices and received as a gift the traditional clothes and symbols of Timorese culture, the bua and malus.
The following day, she began visiting the community and the works of the provincial house, such as Mother Mazzarello pastry shop and the tailor shop. On the morning of 26 July, she met the Provincial Council and, in the afternoon, she experienced a moment of prayer, sharing, and fraternity with the FMA of the four communities present in Dili on Cristo Rei beach, a historical and sacred place for East Timor. Present were the Communities of Saint Joseph Novitiate, Saint John Bosco Balide, Divine Providence, and Eusebia Palomino.
On 27 July in the morning, the Councilor had an important appointment with the President of the Republic of East Timor, Mr. José Ramos Horta, with whom she shared about the FMA mission in Timor.
After meeting with the President, she had a meeting with the Provincial bursar at John Paul II training center in Dili Comoro, to address administrative issues. She then visited St. John Bosco Balide Community, where she met the young people and children of the oratory and thanked them for their welcome. “I am very happy to see your sweet smile that welcomed me. Even if I don’t know you, your presence makes us live our Salesian charism.” She then left a message for the Sisters and postulants to continue to generate life through their testimony and presence among them. She taught the children and young people a song and a dance in Spanish. Despite not understanding the language well, they participated with great joy and enthusiasm.
In the evening, Sister Ena prayed Vespers with the Novices and Sisters of Saint Joseph Community, who welcomed her with a dance about building a ‘house’, using a ribbon as a sign of gratitude. Using this metaphor during the Good Night, the Councilor explained that in daily life as Sisters and as a community, one has a ‘home’, a family where one feels at home welcoming one another. “Together with Mary, we generate life. Let’s think about Mary’s presence at the wedding at Cana, and in particular about Mary’s four attitudes: know how to listen, take care, prevent, and love,” she added. To be generative in life and mission, she recommended asking in ourselves at the examination of conscience, What have I generated in my life today?
On 28 July, Sister Ena met the Sisters with perpetual vows, underlining the charismatic origin of the economic administration in the Institute. She recalled how important it was for every FMA to return to the roots of the Institute’s economy, based on poverty. In the evening, she gave the Good Night to the participants of the spiritual exercises, recalling that the Institute is preparing for the great event of October 19, the canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti.
On 29 July, she began her visit to the Mountain Communities: Saint Teresa of Avila in Baucau, Blessed Laura Vicuña in Laga, and Blessed Maddalena Morano in Fuiloro, meeting the children of the orphanage, the boarding girls, the Educating Communities, and the Sisters.
The following day, she continued with the two Communities of Venilale, Mary Help of Christians and Mary Mazzarello, and then returned to the Provincial House. She also visited the Salesians of Don Bosco of Fatumaca. Subsequently, she shared with the children about Pope Francis’ message in this jubilee year of grace dedicated to hope. “Young people, you are the hope of the Church. Hope is manifested in the meaning of the life of each of you, so you must have hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Hope shows something concrete that comes from the heart of each of us, so it is something that comes from the heart. You should be proud to have so many opportunities to learn in this place, to become young professionals in your future.” Then, addressing the teachers, she thanked them for their dedication and for being guides of hope for young people. She then continued her visit to the southern part of Cailaco and Cassa.
On 2 August, Sister Ena held a meeting with the Temporary Professed Sisters that began with a game. At the end, she helped them reflect on the dynamics of the game: an effort of work in synodality, of responsibility, and of sacrifice.
On the last day, August 5, the feast of the Institute, the Province celebrated the perpetual vows of 6 Sisters, with a solemn Eucharistic celebration attended by family members, guests, priests, and Sisters from some Congregations. Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños, on behalf of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, received their final vows. She thanked the families for giving their daughters the opportunity to follow this path, especially for the faith with which they accompanied them from an early age and helped them grow. She also expressed her gratitude to the children and young people that the Sisters have met in recent years, confirming their Salesian vocation. “Your perpetual consecration can be a testimony of light for all those who meet you in the mission.”
In the evening, the FMAs present from all the Communities expressed their gratitude to Sister Ena for her visit to Mary Mazzarello Province (TIN).
Photos: Flickr FMA
