On 15 August, Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady, great crowds gathered in Zumalai, Timor-Leste, to celebrate 25 years since the Australian Carmelites took responsibility for the parish of Zumalai and the Carmelites in Timor-Leste.

Following the referendum in 1999, in which 78.5% of Timorese voted for independence from Indonesia, the Indonesian Carmelites who had begun the Carmelite Friars’ presence in Timor asked the Australian Carmelites to take their place.

Frs Wayne Stanhope, then Prior Provincial, and Fr David Hofman travelled to Zumalai in August 2001 with Fr Heribertus Heru Purwanto, then Prior Provincial of Indonesia, for the formal handover.

The anniversary celebrations included a seminar for around 300 acolytes and another for Carmelite Youth, Lay Carmelites and parishioners about the history and spirituality of the Carmelites, especially the Brown Scapular.

The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was packed to overflowing for the anniversary mass at which Fr Bruce Clark (Prior Provincial) was the principal celebrant. Frs Pedro Amaral, parish priest Zumalai, and Januario Pinto, parish priest Wenworthville, were the principal concelebrants. They were joined by 12 Carmelite concelebrants, several diocesan and religious concelebrants and two deacons. Among the Carmelite concelebrants were Fr David Hofman and Frs Anselmus Dhegu and Yosef Devanto from the Indonesian Province, both of whom had ministered in Zumalai.

In the congregation were parishioners, a large number of Lay Carmelites and Carmelite Youth, St Titus Brandsma College students and Carmelite Sisters.

Following the Mass there was a festive meal, entertainment, singing and dancing provided by kindergarten and school students and the Carmelite Youth well into the evening.

More photos below