Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB), the Jesuit teacher education institute in Timor-Leste, celebrated a momentous occasion on November 30 with the completion of studies (judicium) of the teacher-trainees who began their education at the inception of ISJB in 2016.
As a first in the history of the school, a big thanksgiving celebration was organised. Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Timor, Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ, celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass with all Jesuit priests in the region and those who came for the event concelebrating.
In his homily, ISJB Rector Fr Sidelizio Pereira SJ reminded the 14 pioneer teacher-trainees that, “Being a teacher is not just a profession, it is a calling, a vocation”. As teachers, they are called not just to teach but to accompany and actively take part in the lives of their students. This is what their integrated formation means, said Fr Side. “This institute did not only form you to be teachers who know how to teach but formed you to see who you truly are: men and women for and with others through your profession.”
The official declaration of the judicium by the Rector and the awarding of academic honours followed after the Mass. Half of those who completed their studies finished with honours and all of them were proud of their achievements. As the first class to complete after four full years at ISJB, they grew alongside the school, which started out in a borrowed space at Casa Gonzaga Candidacy House in Dili for more than a year. From there, they moved to temporary premises in Kasait, occupying the classrooms of Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola, before finally getting their very own campus last year.
“To serve God well, I must become more intelligent and enhance my capacity. I have always and will always embrace the Ignatian Spirit, the Jesuit charism, to help me reach my goal”, said Class Valedictorian Fidelio Oscar in his valedictory address.
Salutatorian Sidonio Pires shared his memories in the four years he spent at ISJB and what he has learned. “I think ISJB is not simply an institute; it is a unique institute because of its integrated formation, which is the formation of character and spirit side by side with intellectual formation. This can be seen in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm, which focuses on context, experience, action, reflection and evaluation”, shared Pires.
Special Awards were also given to students who showed exemplary skills outside of their academic performance. Guido Almeida Soares Maia received the de Brito award for his outstanding leadership and Natalia dos Santos Soares received the Magis Award for her active participation, creativity and spirit of volunteerism.
Commencement Speaker Dr Aurelio Guterres highlighted the value of a good teacher. “Teachers should not forget that students are the most important elements in the process of education. A good teacher should be the mediator of knowledge, facilitator, researcher and must be flexible or be the companion and comrade of the students.”
Fr Sarmento also emphasised the important role of a teacher for a country. Quoting Brazilian journalist Alexandre Garcia, he said: “We need to train excellent teachers and attract them with high remuneration. School is no joke. It’s not a hobby. It’s not a child deposit because parents are working. It has the most important place in a serious country.”
The achievement of the students is the result of the efforts of many people, especially of benefactors and mission partners who have constantly supported ISJB since its humble beginnings. The building that is now ISJB and the progress that the school has made have been realised because of the support of these mission partners. Two of them were the couple Dennis and Kerry O’Brien, who were specially acknowledged by the Timorese Jesuits with a Certificate of Recognition.
Many friends, mission partners and guests came to the celebration. These included Timor-Leste’s Education Minister Fernando Hanjam, Margaret Lu, and Fr Trung Nguyen SJ, Helen Forde and Siobhan Jordan of Jesuit Mission Australia. Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) President Fr Antonio Moreno SJ, Australian Provincial Fr Brian McCoy SJ, Japanese Provincial Fr Renzo De Luca SJ and Philippine Provincial Fr Primitivo Viray SJ came as a “consortium” of JCAP major superiors supporting the Timorese Jesuit Region.
At the end of the ceremonies, the new teachers with their families and friends, staff, Jesuits, collaborators and benefactors gathered to celebrate over lunch, with some entertainment and lots of photo taking, thanking God for His divine providence.
Nelson Madeira Pacheco is the Communication Officer of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste