Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (CSIL), the Jesuit secondary school in Timor-Leste, celebrated a historic event with the graduation of its pioneering batch of students on December 22.
The ceremony started with a thanksgiving Mass presided by Timor-Leste Regional Superior Fr Joaquim Sarmento SJ to give thanks to God for the grace and spirit of accompaniment from the day the students started at CSIL until their graduation, and also to the teachers, staff, parents, superiors and everyone who contributed to the success of the students today and in the future.
The graduating class chose for their theme St Ignatius of Loyola’s famous line, “Go set the world on fire”. It was a momentous occasion for the 103 graduates who had worked so hard to realise their academic goals. The first graduation was made more meaningful by the students’ efforts to mobilise additional resources for their graduation ceremony by staging a fundraising concert on December 12.
“Even though the preparation for the concert was arduous, we are extremely proud of everything that each and every one of us has contributed for this successful event,” said concert organiser Gabriela M Cabral.
Salvador J Leono Zota Soares, the class valedictorian and 2018 National Exam first placer, is proud of the efforts he put in to attain success. He says it is not just his dream, but one he shares with his parents and the school.
“My parents have been very supportive of what I have been doing and the school has given me everything that I need to accomplish my dream. The school wants its students to be the best and my family also wants me to be the best. So now that I have achieved the best, I feel proud to be the best in both worlds”, said Soares.
As the graduates would attest, CSIL does not only provide a rigorous academic foundation, but also a place where students can be formed holistically in the Ignatian tradition to be themselves but more importantly to serve others and to see others as their companions.
“Every single day that I spent at CSIL has taught me to be the best for others. In order to be the best for others I have to express myself with courteousness and charisma in any activity that I do. I have to respect other students, listen to their opinions, know how to behave even though there are many challenges”, said Cecilia Sofia F Barreto.
Class salutatorian and Loiola Awardee Geovania G M Freitas shares the same sentiment. “I hope that in the future I will make more successful steps forward to be able to serve others and to be what I can for the greater glory of God.”
“During our years at CSIL we had the opportunity to enhance our intellectual capacity and also deepen our faith. All of these things and all of the opportunities that were given to us were possible because of the close collaboration between the donors and the Jesuits that organise this school”, said Sely Lutizia Araujo dos Santos, Menção Honrosa (Honorable Distinction) awardee.
CSIL is proud of the achievements of its students. The parents, too, are very proud of their sons and daughters. They are confident in the education system that CSIL offers and the progress that the school has made.
All of these are possible because of the generous support of the donors who have been with the Jesuit Education Project since the beginning, and the sacrifices of the staff, teachers and Jesuits who believe firmly in the important mission of educating the future of Timor-Leste. [Jesuitas em Timor-Leste]