Last November 12, (2024), the Skolápios in Makili – Ataúro celebrating the National Youth Day and the 33rd year of Santa Cruz Massacre (12 Nov. 1991) with more than a hundred participants of young people from the village.
The Santa Cruz Massacre is a historical event in the struggle of the Timorese for freedom. On the said day, there were some 2000 youth aged mainly between 14-25 gathered in the Santa Cruz public Cemetery Dili and became target of the Indonesian armies. Among these number of young people 271 reported dead, 250 missing and 382 wounded.
The celebration of the day was divided into four main activities: 1) Seminar; The Seminar was given by 4 speakers. Two speakers in the morning focusing on the role of the Timorese youth and their contribution in the fight for truth and freedom in the past. Another two speakers in the afternoon focusing on the role and participation of the youth in the building of the nation and human fraternity. 2) Eucharistic celebration; The Mass was presided by Fr. Pedro da Cruz and co-celebrated by Fr. Ewaldus Kiik. In the homily Fr. Pedro invited youth to value the history, to be grateful for the present moment and offer prayer for the youths who died and at the same time with hope to dream high to be youth who are willing to build peace and fraternity with all for the nation and the Church. 3) In memory of the young people, flowers and candles were brought to the seashore. 4) Lastly, watching documentary videos in the evening.
On this day we pray for the youth, especially those the Lord entrusted to our care. We left a message to the youth Makili with the words of St. Paul, “Do not let anyone put you down because you are young; but be example to them with your words, actions, love, faith and purity” (1 Tim 4:12).
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