Location
:
Luca, Viqueque, Timor Leste
The St. Gemma Galgani Community was established in Luca in response to the needs of the faithful, at the invitation of Fr. Evarista Antonio, the Parish Priest of Viqueque. On 8 August 2018, four sisters: Srs. Eugenia, Serafina, Laura and Angelita, together with the parish priest, went to view the location. We realised that the sisters' presence was greatly needed, especially for the spiritual formation of the faithful, as they were far from the parish. Following up on the invitation, on 28 September 2019, after the perpetual vows of Sr. Natalia and Sr. Esmenia, the General Council, comprising Sr. Hermin Bu'ulölö and Sr. Elisângela Ferreira Belo, went to the location to see the new mission site firsthand.
During the discussion, the General Council said that they liked the location of the mission site, but that they would wait for an official letter from the diocese before giving their answer regarding the establishment of this community.
In 2020, while awaiting a letter from the diocese, two sisters preparing for their perpetual vows, Sr. Inocencia and Sr. Terezinha, started working in this parish. As the St. Lukas-Ossu community is the closest to Luca, Luca is currently under its care. On 11 June 2020, Sr. Joanita and the two sisters preparing for their perpetual vows stayed in Luca for a week. After that, Sr. Angelita replaced Sr.Joanita. The community became a pastoral center while they waited for an official letter from the Diocese of Baucau confirming its status.
After a long wait, we finally received the official letter from the diocese on
4 September 2024. Following Pope Francis' visit to Timor-Leste from 9 to
11 September 2024, Sister Serafina went straight to Luca, where Sisters Terezinha and Inocencia had been staying for a month. We spent about two months preparing everything. Then, on 18 December 2024, Luca officially became the Community of St. Gemma Galgani. Sr Serafina is the leader of the community and Sr. Terezinha is a member. Two junior sisters have now joined the community, and our mission here is pastoral, especially to support the spiritual development of the local people.
Aldeia Uma Boot, SP 4
Suka Luca, Posto Admin
Viqueque Vila-LUCA
TIMOR LESTE
Phone: +670-73749528