Our Lady of Aitara is the National Marian Shrine in Timor Leste. The Virgin Mary appeared to several women near a Banyan tree on Aitara Hill, above Soibada in Timor Leste, on 16th October in the early 20th century. Since the Apparition, the site on Aitara Hill has been a place of great religious significance to the Timorese people and the nation.
Every year there is a festival to celebrate the Apparition. In addition, hundreds of people from all over Timor Leste make an annual pilgrimage to the Chapel at Soibada to deepen their faith.
This Chapel of Our Lady of Aitara in Marian Valley is sacred and ‘Lulik’ for the people of Timor Leste. It will provide a place for all the Timorese people in Australia to come and visit our Lady and ask for her blessings.
Our Lady of Aitara is beloved by the people of Timor Leste because they recognise her as their mother who supported them through war, strife, suffering, invasions and illnesses. Our Lady intercedes for Timor Leste, and our people believe that she embraces and protects them and continues to be a Mother for them as they live here in Australia.
The people of Timor Leste credit Our Lady of Aitara as the bringer of peace to their land. At this Shrine here in Australia, the Timor Leste people can bring their children and families as they make pilgrimages to Our Lady. We ask for blessings upon our families and friends as we settle into this new country, desiring to pass on to the next generation devotion and love for Our Lady, who symbolises peace and unity for us.
We are very grateful for the support we have received to make this Chapel available for prayer. We express our gratitude to those who have contributed in any way, and we ask God’s blessing upon you all. May Our Lady always be a Mother to you all!