{{Short description|Roman Catholic minor seminary in Dili, Timor-Leste}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox university | name = Our Lady of Fatima Minor Seminary | native_name = Seminário Menor de<br>Nossa Senhora de Fátima | native_name_lang = pt | image = Seminário Menor de Nossa Senhora de Fátima, 2023 (01).jpg | image_upright = | image_alt = | caption = | latin_name = | motto = | type = [[Minor seminary]] | established = {{start date and age|1936|10|13|df=y}} | founder = <!-- or |founders= --> | affiliation = | religious_affiliation = [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] | academic_affiliation = | endowment = | budget = | rector = Natalino da Costa | academic_staff = | administrative_staff = | students = 254 (2017)<ref>[http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/dili-diocese-grows-helps-timor-leste-progress/38954/2 Herald Malaysia October 24, 2017]</ref> | alumni = | city = [[Dili]] | country = [[Timor-Leste]] | coordinates = {{coord|format=dms|region:TL-DI_type:landmark|display=it}} | campus = [[Urban area|Urban]] | language = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] | free_label = | free = | website = [https://senofa.wixsite.com/senofa Official website] | logo = | logo_size = | logo_upright = | logo_alt = }}
'''Our Lady of Fatima Minor Seminary''' ('''SENOFA'''; {{langx|pt|Seminário Menor de Nossa Senhora de Fátima}}) is a [[Roman Catholic]] [[minor seminary]] located in [[Dili]], [[Timor-Leste]]. Established in 1936, it is the country's oldest Roman Catholic seminary. Originally located in [[Soibada]], [[Manatuto Municipality|Manatuto]], it moved in 1951 to [[Dare, Vera Cruz|Dare]], on the outskirts of Dili. The seminary was [[Canon law of the Catholic Church|canonically]] registered by the [[Holy See]] in 1954. In 1958, the [[Jesuits]] took over administration of the seminary. The seminary closed after the 1975 [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor]], reopening three years later in 1978.
== History== The seminary, which while at Dare sat on the top ridge of the mountains surrounding Dili, was for generations Timor-Leste's most important educational institute where almost every East Timorese leader was educated.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101030061402/http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/features/power50/p5046-50.html Asiaweek 1999]</ref> On 13 December 1975, a few days after the start of the [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor]], the seminary building in Dare was bombed. In 1978, Father José Martins and Father João Felgueiras reopened the seminary in Externato de S. José, a building on the outskirts of Dili.<ref name="dn 2022-03-14">{{cite news |title=Morreu o padre jesuíta José Martins, que viveu em Timor-Leste desde 1974 |trans-title=Jesuit priest José Martins, who lived in Timor-Leste from 1974, has died |url=https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/morreu-o-padre-jesuita-jose-martins-que-viveu-em-timor-leste-desde-1974-14679603.html |access-date=2023-10-18 |work=[[Diário de Notícias]] |agency=DN/[[Lusa News Agency|Lusa]] |date=2022-03-14 |language=pt-PT}}</ref> In 1983 the [[St. Joseph's High School, Timor-Leste|St. Joseph's High School]] became a separate institution from the minor seminary. Among the students of the high school are approximately 50 seminarians.
Until independence the medium of instruction was [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]].<ref name="christalis">Christalis, Irena. East Timor: A nation’s bitter dawn. Zed Books, London, 2009</ref>
In July 2000 the seminary was the venue for the marriage of Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmão and [[Kirsty Sword Gusmão|Kirsty Sword]].<ref>Gusmão, K. S. A woman of independence. Pan 2003.</ref> In 2001 the seminary had about 30 Timorese candidates for the diocesan priesthood.<ref>[http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2001/decjan2001p7_886.html AD2000 December 2001] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915195602/http://ad2000.com.au/articles/2001/decjan2001p7_886.html |date=15 September 2010 }}</ref> In 2017 the seminary had 254 students.<ref>[https://www.ucanews.com/news/dili-diocese-grows-helps-timor-leste-progress/80541 UCANews 23 October 2017]</ref> On 1 March 2007 the country's new [[Apostolic Nuncio|apostolic nuncio]], Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, celebrated Mass at the [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili]], before visiting the seminary.<ref>[http://www.cathnews.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=4362 CathNews 2 March 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706102615/http://www.cathnews.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=4362 |date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>
Father Lopes Mouzinho is the rector of the seminary in 2007. The grounds of the seminary were a sanctuary for thousands of refugees. It became one of Dili's many Internally Displaced Persons camps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/features/timor/episode1.htm |title=ABC 22 October 2007 |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914134839/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/features/timor/episode1.htm |archive-date=14 September 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The alumni of the seminary, including President Xanana Gusmão, Bishop [[Alberto Ricardo da Silva]] of Dili and Bishop [[Basilio do Nascimento]] of Baucau, and others met at the seminary on 30 October 2004 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Jesuit Father Leonardus Dibyawiyata who was the rector of the seminary from 1996 to 1999 also spoke on the occasion. The seminary has produced about 40 priests, including three bishops. Hundreds of politicians and professionals also are graduates of the seminary.<ref name="ucan">[https://tasseminarmurah.com Tas Seminar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711005410/https://tasseminarmurah.com/ |date=11 July 2022 }} [http://archives.ucanews.com/2004/11/09/seminary-celebrates-50th-anniversary-recalls-past-to-build-better-future/ UCANews 9 November 2004]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
In 2010 the Church in Timor-Leste celebrated the 75th anniversary of the opening of the seminary, where 75 seminarians were preparing for the priesthood.<ref>[http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=15978&lan=eng Agenzia Fides 2/7/2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613202417/http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=15978&lan=eng|date=13 June 2011}}</ref>
By 2010, being the country's only minor seminary, it was struggling to accommodate the growing number of candidates desiring to enter the priesthood. This led to the plan to build a second minor seminary. In 2017, the Maliana Diocese became home to the [[St. Joseph Seminary, Maliana]], the country's second minor seminary.<ref>[https://www.ucanews.com/news/new-seminary-looks-to-beat-priest-shortage-in-timor-leste/80376 UCANews 29 September 2017]</ref>
In 2016, Father Angelo Salsinha was rector of the seminary.<ref>[http://www.ucanews.com/news/timor-leste-students-pitch-in-to-help-environment/75198 UCANews 11 February 2016]</ref> Speaking at the seminary on 8 March 2016, Msgr. Ionut Paul Strejac, the Vatican's chargé d'affaires in Timor-Leste, spoke to about 400 Timor-Leste youth mostly university and high school students in Dili Diocese about reconciliation, conflict and violence.<ref>[http://www.ucanews.com/news/timor-leste-youth-get-lesson-in-faith-formation/75443 UCANews 9 March 2016]</ref>
== Rectors ==
* [[Jaime Garcia Goulart]] (1936–1937)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=História Badak |trans-title=Short History |url=https://senofa.wixsite.com/senofa/about |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=SENOFA |language=tet}}</ref> * Fr. Januario (1937–1942; 1948–1950)<ref name=":0" /> * [[Jaime Garcia Goulart]] (1950–1955)<ref name=":0" /> * Porfirio Campos (1955–1958)<ref name=":0" /> * Estanislau Liu, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1958–1961)<ref name=":0" /> * André Dias de Rábago, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1961–1967)<ref name=":0" /> * Albino de Sá, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1967–1970)<ref name=":0" /> * João Felgueiras, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1970–1975)<ref name=":0" /> * José Alves Martins, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1986–1990)<ref name=":0" /> * Karl Albrecht, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1990–1996)<ref name=":0" /> * Leonardus Dibyawiyata, [[Jesuits|SJ]] (1996–2000)<ref name=":0" /> * [[Norberto do Amaral]] (2000–2004)<ref name=":0" /> * Mouzinho Pereira Lopes (2004–2011)<ref name=":0" /> * [[Leandro Maria Alves]] (2011–2014)<ref name=":0" /> * Angelo Salsinha (2014– )<ref name=":0" />
== Notable people ==
=== Faculty ===
* [[Leandro Maria Alves]], bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Baucau|Baucau]] (2023–present), served as the seminary's rector from (2011–2014)<ref name=":0" /> * [[Norberto do Amaral]], bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Maliana|Maliana]] (2010–present), served as the seminary's rector from 2000–2004<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2010-01-30 |title=ASIA/EAST TIMOR - Diocese of Maliana erected, first Bishop appointed |url=https://www.fides.org/en/news/25941-ASIA_EAST_TIMOR_Diocese_of_Maliana_erected_first_Bishop_appointed |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Agenzia Fides}}</ref> * [[Jaime Garcia Goulart]], first bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dili|Dili]] (1945–1967), founder of the seminary and its rector from 1936–1937 and 1950–1955<ref name=":0" />
=== Alumni === * [[Francisco Xavier do Amaral]], independence leader and first [[President of Timor-Leste|president]] of [[Democratic Republic of East Timor (1975)|Timor-Leste]] (1975)<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Urban |first=Samuel Penteado |url=https://www.uern.br/controledepaginas/edicoes-uern-ebooks-2020/arquivos/5737popular_education_in_timor_leste_past_and_present_experiences_final.pdf |title=Popular Education in Timor-Leste: Past and Present Experiences |last2=da Silva |first2=Antero Benedito |last3=von Linsingen |first3=Irlan |publisher=Edições UERN |year=2020 |isbn=978-65-991344-7-0 |pages=8 |access-date=2025-05-26}}</ref> * [[Norberto do Amaral]], bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Maliana|Maliana]] (2010–present)<ref name=":1" /> * {{ill|Abílio Araújo|lt=|de||id}}, independence leader<ref name=":3" /> * {{ill|Alberto Araújo|lt=|de|}}, priest and independence leader; studied at the seminary 1955–1961<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-17 |title=Morreu Alberto Araújo, fundador da Associação Timorense em Portugal |trans-title=Alberto Araújo, founder of the Timorese Association in Portugal, has died |url=https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/pais/1565988/morreu-alberto-araujo-fundador-da-associacao-timorense-em-portugal |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Notícias ao Minuto |language=pt}}</ref> * {{ill|Crisódio Araújo|lt=|de|}}, poet, writer, and academic<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-24 |title=Falecimento de Crisódio Marcos Tilman Freitas de Araújo |trans-title=Death of Crisodio Marcos Tilman Freitas de Araújo |url=https://epd-celp.org/2021/08/24/falecimento-de-crisodio-marcos-tilman-freitas-de-araujo/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Escola Portuguesa de Díli |language=pt}}</ref> * [[Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo]], [[apostolic administrator]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dili|Diocese of Dili]] (1988–2002), and [[Nobel Peace Prize]] winner<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Cristalis |first=Irena |url=https://www.google.tl/books/edition/East_Timor/VgJjDgAAQBAJ |title=East Timor: A Nation's Bitter Dawn |date=2013-07-04 |publisher=Zed Books |isbn=978-1-84813-653-3 |language=en}}</ref> * {{ill|Alberto Carlos (politician)|lt=Alberto Carlos|de|Alberto Carlos}}, politician and diplomat; studied at the seminary 1974–1975<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-02-11 |title=Alberto Carlos: Ba Nasaun Laiha Lia fuan Lae! |trans-title=Alberto Carlos: For the Nation There Is No Word "No"! |url=https://temposemanaltimor.blogspot.com/2011/02/alberto-carlos-ba-nasaun-laiha-lia-fuan.html |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Tempo Semanal |language=tet}}</ref> * [[Francisco Borja da Costa]], independence leader, journalist, and poet who wrote "[[Pátria]]", the [[national anthem]] of Timor-Leste<ref name=":3" /> * [[José António da Costa]], priest and [[vicar general]] of the Diocese of Dili (1993–2003)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martins |first=Filomeno |date=2022-12-28 |title=Monsignor José António dies aged 82 |url=https://en.tatoli.tl/2022/12/28/monsignor-jose-antonio-dies-aged-82/22/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=TATOLI Agência Noticiosa de Timor-Leste |language=en}}</ref> * {{ill|Vitor da Costa|lt=|de|}}, independence leader and politician; studied at the seminary 1963–1967<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-22 |title=Sekretáriu Estadu Seguransa Sosiál |trans-title=Secretary of State for Social Security |url=http://www.mss.gov.tl/index.php/en/ministeriu/perfil-superior-mss/58-perfil-superior-mss/199-sekretariu-estadu-seguransa-sosial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222193312/http://www.mss.gov.tl/index.php/en/ministeriu/perfil-superior-mss/58-perfil-superior-mss/199-sekretariu-estadu-seguransa-sosial |archive-date=2014-02-22 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Ministério da Solidariedade Social |language=tet}}</ref> * [[Nicolau Lobato]], independence leader and first [[Prime Minister of Timor-Leste|prime minister]] of Timor-Leste (1975)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> * [[Xanana Gusmão]], independence leader and politician; former president (2002–2007) and prime minister of Timor-Leste (2007–2015, 2023–present)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> * [[Domingos Maubere]], priest, activist, and independence leader; studied at the seminary 1967–1973<ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Soares |first=Ermelinda |last2=Belo |first2=Dircia |date=2025-05-21 |title=Bispu Leandro: "Amu Du, Halo Buat Hotu Ho Domin, Nia Espíritu Horik Nafatin Iha Ita" |trans-title=Bishop Leandro: "Amu Du Did Everything With Love, His Spirit Always Lives In Us" |url=https://sapnewstl.com/bispu-leandro-amu-du-halo-buat-hotu-ho-domin-nia-espiritu-horik-nafatin-iha-ita/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=SAP News TL |language=tet}}</ref> * [[Alberto Ricardo da Silva]], bishop of Dili (2004–2015)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-03-06 |title=ASIA/EAST TIMOR - Rev. Alberto Ricardo da Silva appointed Bishop of Dili, Bishop Basilio do Nascimento appointed Bishop of Baucau |url=https://www.fides.org/en/news/1874-ASIA_EAST_TIMOR_Rev_Alberto_Ricardo_da_Silva_appointed_Bishop_of_Dili_Bishop_Basilio_do_Nascimento_appointed_Bishop_of_Baucau |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Agenzia Fides}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Catholic Church in Timor-Leste]] * [[List of Catholic seminaries]] * [[List of secondary schools in Timor-Leste]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Our Lady of Fatima seminary}} [[Category:1930s establishments in Portuguese Timor]] [[Category:1936 establishments in the Portuguese Empire]] [[Category:Catholic Church in Timor-Leste]] [[Category:Catholic minor seminaries]] [[Category:Catholic seminaries in Asia|Timor-Leste]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1936]] [[Category:Schools in Dili]] [[Category:Secondary schools in Timor-Leste]]