The Timorese Catholic Community in Brisbane (TCCB) gathered at Marian Valley on Saturday, 10 October 2026, for a pilgrimage and celebration of Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aitara.
Fr Anacleto Guterres Da Costa, O.Carm, Chaplain to the community, celebrated the Mass, with Fr Albino, O.Carm, concelebrating. Deacon Gusti, SVD, assisted, with support from Sister Eufemia.
United in faith and prayer, community members entrusted their lives, families, community and nation to Our Lady’s maternal care. Through her intercession, they prayed for peace, unity, hope and God’s blessings upon all Timorese people and the wider world.
Devotion to Our Lady of Aitara holds a special place in the faith of the Timorese people. Associated with the national Marian shrine at Soibada in Timor-Leste, the chapel at Marian Valley provides a place where Timorese families in Australia can gather in prayer and share this devotion with younger generations.
For the Carmelites of Australia & Timor-Leste, accompanying the Timorese community in Brisbane is part of a shared life and ministry across both countries. This year marks 25 years since the Australian Carmelites accepted responsibility for the Carmelite mission in Timor-Leste and the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Zumalai, in 2001.
That commitment continues through parish ministry, the formation of young Timorese Carmelites, and support for education and community development. At the St Elijah community in Hera, near Dili, young friars prepare for Carmelite life and ministry through prayer, study and community living. In Zumalai, the friars serve parish communities and celebrate Mass and the sacraments in surrounding villages.
The pilgrimage at Marian Valley brought this ministry into the shared prayer of Brisbane’s Timorese community, with Carmelite friars joining the faithful in thanksgiving and devotion to Our Lady.
We give thanks to God for this opportunity to pray together as one family in Christ. May Our Lady of Aitara continue to guide and protect our families, our community and the people of Timor-Leste.
Our Lady of Aitara, pray for us.
Photo credit: Policarpo Ximenes and TCCB members.
Story adapted from the Timorese Catholic Community in Brisbane (TCCB).
