“Entrusted with the Gospel, Strengthened by the Cross”: A Timorese Catechist’s call from the Pope

In a moving celebration at St. Peter’s Square (Sunday, 28/9), Pope Leo XIV entrusted 39 catechists from around the world with a special mission cross, commissioning them to be “missionaries of hope” in their communities.

Among those chosen was Marçal Evaristo Soares, a catechist from Timor-Leste, who personally received the crucifix from the Pope during the Jubilee of Catechists.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) after the celebration, Marçal shared his profound gratitude and reflections on the meaning of this moment, both for himself and for the Church in Timor-Leste.

“Entrusted with the Gospel, Strengthened by the Cross”

Recalling the moment he received the mission cross, Marçal described it as “beyond words.”

“The first feeling was pride, I never imagined I would come to the Vatican to receive this mission as a catechist,” he told RVA. “But alongside that joy came a deep sense of unworthiness. This is a great responsibility, and at times, I feel anxious about whether I can truly live up to this mission.”

During his homily at the Jubilee Mass, Pope Leo XIV reminded catechists that their mission begins not with human strength but with Christ’s love.

“The cross is not a decoration,” the Pope said. “It is the sign of a love that goes to the very end. Those who carry it are invited to live and proclaim the Gospel with humility, courage, and joy.”

For Marçal, these words became a source of strength.

“I entrust this mission to prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit and the support of fellow catechists and the community. Together, we can carry out this sacred task,” he affirmed.

Rooted in Tradition, Witnessing in Daily Life

Marçal shared with RVA that receiving the cross from the Pope has deep spiritual significance.

“This mission comes directly from the successor of Peter. It is a sacred mandate to proclaim the Good News, not just through teaching but through daily witness,” he said.

As a husband and father, he sees his family as his first mission field.

“I want to be a mirror of faith for my family. True proclamation is not only in words but in deeds. When faith is lived authentically at home, it becomes a light for others.”

Pope Leo XIV echoed this during his homily: “Catechesis is not simply about passing on information. It is about sharing a living encounter with Christ, one that transforms hearts and communities.”

Timor-Leste’s Faith in the Heart of the Universal Church

Timor-Leste, which gained independence in 2002, is known for its vibrant Catholic identity. Marçal believes his participation in the Jubilee symbolizes the growing role of Timorese Catholics in the universal mission of the Church.

He recalled two key papal messages that have shaped the nation’s faith journey: Pope John Paul II’s 1989 call, “You are the salt and light of the world,” and Pope Francis’s 2024 exhortation, “Let your faith be your culture.”

“Through this mission, we proclaim that the Church in Timor-Leste is part of the universal mission. It is both a source of pride and a responsibility to bring the Gospel to the peripheries,” Marçal told RVA.

However, he also noted new pastoral challenges. Since independence, various ideologies and lifestyles have entered freely.

“Democracy and human rights have opened space for expression, but spiritual values are often no longer filtered. Many are drawn to instant happiness, forgetting that Christian mission includes the Cross,” he explained.

For Marçal, this is where catechists must remain steadfast, accompanying communities with patience and hope, especially in remote areas.

“Suffering is part of our vocation. When we share in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, we draw strength to proclaim the Gospel to those who need it most.”

Carrying the Mission Forward with Hope

As a teacher and catechist, Marçal offered a heartfelt message to young people in Timor-Leste and across Asia:

“Youth is a precious time that will not return. Use it well to plant seeds of goodness. As St. Augustine said, he was late in finding Christ; let us not regret our youth later. The seeds we sow today will bear the fruits of joy in the future.”

Upon returning from Rome, Marçal plans to continue his mission in seminaries, schools, and parishes, teaching, accompanying catechumens, and supporting fellow catechists.

“I may not do extraordinary things, but I will do small things with great love,” he said. “We are just pencils in God’s hands. May He be greater, and I smaller.”

Through Marçal’s witness, the Church in Timor-Leste embodies the Jubilee’s call to be “missionaries of hope,” shining the light of faith from the peripheries to the heart of the Church.

(Kasmir Nema, an SVD missionary based in the Vatican, contributes regularly to RVA and other Catholic platforms and magazines.)