Author name: Komunikator Serikat Jesus

Coinciding with National Heroes Day in November 2024, the DIY Student Pastoral Center (PPM DIY) held a series of events to give meaning to heroism that is relevant to young people today. The events consisted of the PPM DIY Open House on November 9 and the Youth Eucharist, which was continued with a talk show and art performance on November 10. The topics raised were about heroism exemplified by national figures (including national heroes who are Catholic) and its actualization for young people today. Heroism as a spirit is always relevant and can be actualized continuously.   For that reason, with the language style of young people, this activity takes the title AGAPE: Akrab aGAwe PEnak, which in the original language (Greek, “ἀγάπη”) refers to a form of selfless, sincere, and affectionate love. In this context, agape is often described as universal or unconditional love, which reflects an earnest desire for the good of others without expecting anything in return. Catholic students in Jogja are invited to dare to give themselves selfless, sincere, and full love to anyone as a form of heroism that aligns with Catholic teachings. The acronym for ” Agape,” namely ” keras agawe penak,” invites Catholic students to establish intimacy in their own way and walk together as fellow Catholic students. Generation Z children who are familiar with the digital world can also take heroic actions in this era. So, besides being ” penak ” ( fun ), it is also beneficial for many people.   The meeting moment between Catholic students of DIY was temporarily halted due to the pandemic some time ago. Therefore, this activity will unite Catholic students throughout Yogyakarta since the pandemic is over. It is hoped that with this activity, a network and brotherhood can be established between Catholic students spread across various campuses. In Yogyakarta Special Region, there are more than hundreds of Universities, Academies, and Colleges. It is hoped that with this activity, Catholic students can get to know each other, share stories, and strengthen each other in their life journey.   On the first day of the PPM DIY Open House event, students provided health check services for residents around PPM DIY. In addition, there were joint exercise activities, community service, blood donation, door prizes distribution, and lunch together. The involvement of students in the community is a simple form of heroism that they can do. Students need to recognize the community environment where they live every day so that the knowledge they learn in class does not stop at just thinking but is also actualized for the common good. For example, medical and health science students are involved in free health check services for the community. In addition, students also learn to network with all parties with good intentions, such as the Sego Mubeng group from the Kotabaru Parish.   On the second day, EKM was held in the Kolese de Britto chapel and continued with a talk show and art performance in the Kolese de Britto hall. The Eucharistic celebration was led by Father AR Yudono Suwondo, Pr. as the Episcopal Vicar (Vikep) of West Yogyakarta accompanied by Father Daryanto, SJ (Student Pastoral Center), Father Setyo Budi Sambodo, Pr (Student Priest of the Semarang Vicariate), and Father Hugo, SJ (Moderator of Kolese de Britto, host of the event). This is a greeting from the Catholic Church to young people, especially Catholic students in Jogja. Through this EKM, students also get space to experience the Eucharist in a youthful way, such as orchestral music accompaniment, accompanying dances, reflections presented with theater, and prayers in various regional languages.   Around 800 Catholic students from various universities attended the second day’s event. Not only from Jogja but also from Semarang and Surakarta. After the Eucharist, the event continued with a talk show filled by Father G. Subanar, SJ, and Walma Jelena. Father Banar shared the story of the heroism of Indonesian Catholics during the Japanese occupation through a recently published book, Kinro Hoshi, Kisah Umat Katolik di Dudukan Jepang (Kanisius, 2024). Meanwhile, from the perspective of young people, Walma Jelena, who popularized the mantilla on her social media account (@walmajelena; Your Mantilla Lady), shared her testimony of faith in the digital world.   After the talk show, several student groups filled the art stage. Among them were regional dances, theater, and music. The multiculturalism of Catholic students in DIY will color these art performances, considering that students come from various regions in Indonesia. Fr. Buset (Setyo Budi Sambodo) performed entertainingly with standup comedy. In addition, there was also the involvement of SMA Kolese de Britto students through musical performances. Not a few de Britto alumni studying in Jogja were actively involved in the activities of the Catholic Student Family. So, this is a form of ongoing assistance for young people to walk together to build a future full of hope.   Contributor: P Agustinus Daryanto, SJ

Recently, we have been presented with some data from the Central Bureau of Statistics regarding the decline in the number of young people getting married in Indonesia. This data is accompanied by various newspaper reports that depict the concerns of young people about getting married or having children. As a result, over the past ten years, there has also been a decline in the number of women giving birth, from 70.6% in 2012 to 66.4% in 2022 (down 4.2%).   Responding to this phenomenon, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, the scholastics at St. Ignatius College invited young people to discuss together in the Dialogue for Action (DIKSI) event entitled ” Family, Is It Still the Most Valuable Treasure? ” Fr. TB Pramudita, SJ, as the moderator of the discussion, opened with instigating data: many participants are of the view that having a family is scary because they have to face various challenges in family life (economic challenges, infidelity, divorce, and domestic violence).   This dialogue presented several speakers to understand this phenomenon more deeply: Father Yoseph Aris, MSF, Mr. Paulus Eko Ananto (Bantul Population and Civil Registry Office), and husband and wife Mr. Albert and Mrs. Erna Prajartoro. From the speakers, the participants learned that, on the one hand, the challenges of family life are real. On the other hand, joy is present not because of superficial pleasure but when the challenges are faced with responsibility, loyalty, and shared commitment as a path to holiness.   Civil Divorce: Church Concerns Mr. Eko started the discussion by presenting Disdukcapil’s analysis of divorce data in Bantul. From 2017 to 2024, 417 divorce cases have been recorded in Bantul. The most common factors causing divorce are economic (30%), disputes (17%), infidelity (14%), domestic violence (13%), and religion (8%).   Mr. Eko, as an employee of Disdukcapil, also felt concerned because of the total divorce cases in Bantul; 190 (45%) of them were carried out by couples whose marriages were carried out in the Catholic religion. “As a Catholic, at first I felt ‘sinful’ when issuing a civil divorce certificate because there is no divorce in the Catholic Church,” he said.   Continuing the concern about civil divorce, Father Aris emphasized no divorce in the Catholic Church. Divorce that occurs civilly is indeed a concern for the Church. However, those who are forced to have a civil divorce, “as long as they do not remarry or do not live in a concubine, may receive communion,” said Father Aris. In the Catholic Church, there is no divorce, and what is known is the annulment of marriage. However, the annulment of marriage in the Catholic Church is not a double standard because there is something that is not valid in Church law and is made to save souls.   Call to Holiness Instead of being trapped in the fear of divorce, Father Aris invites young people to understand marriage as a calling to holiness better so as not to see it as scary. Father Aris emphasized, “Marriage is a calling from God that requires a response from husband and wife freely, consciously, and responsibly.” As a calling from God, marriage aims for the good of husband and wife, openness to offspring, and children’s education. In preparing for marriage, young people must get to know the depth of their partner, build a shared commitment, and be honest in their relationships. Commitment and honesty in relationships must be built up to the point of agreement about offspring. Don’t be childfree or delay for too long just because of pragmatic reasons or blaming the economic situation.   Currently, the Archdiocese of Semarang is increasingly serious about assisting prospective married couples with the Catechesis for Family Life Preparation (KPHB) program, Discovery (a program to get to know your partner better), the Marriage Encounter community, Couple for Christ, and post-marriage assistance with family events/recollections and wedding anniversaries. These various programs are created to prepare further and accompany the journey of married couples. “Indeed, there is no special school to become a husband/father and wife/mother. However, the most important thing about school is life experience, which is to get to know each other and commit,” said Father Aris.   Core Values and Life History Mr. Albert and Mrs. Erna then shared their dynamic family life experiences. They started a new family with economic struggles from zero to slowly gaining prosperity for the family. Because of work, Mr. Albert had to work in Merauke and had a long-distance marriage for 20 years. During this time, many challenges in the work environment tested loyalty. “Loyalty is bitter when lived, but the fruit is sweet,” said Mr. Albert. Because of their commitment, Mr. Albert and Mrs. Erna tried to meet regularly even though the plane ticket price was not cheap. Another challenge arose when educating children. This family was blessed with three children. Their youngest child has special needs and, in the early stages of growth, had to undergo 10 operations. Challenges also arose when Mr. Albert’s career was brought down by parties who did not like him because he worked cleanly and was not corrupt. After going through various difficult situations, Mr. Albert and Mrs. Erna were grateful because there were always good people who provided solutions and were there for them. They were able to face difficult situations because of their loyalty to the values agreed upon together ( core values ).   Mrs. Erna said, “Couples must unite the values that will be achieved together to be prayed for and printed-installed as a reminder of the agreement.” Agreement occurs when couples accept and understand each other’s life history. Thus, neither party should give in or be forced to do so because core values are a mutual agreement. Some examples of core values are honesty, simplicity, responsibility, and hard work. Thanks to core values, Mr. Albert and Mrs. Erna can live their family lives with complete loyalty in various situations. Family life is indeed not free from challenges but full of many

Sometime after we published the book Walking with Ignatius, which contains a conversation between Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, and journalist Dario Menor, we had the opportunity to meet Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, in person on October 25, 2024, amid his busy agenda at the Synod of Bishops in Rome. This meeting was indeed a very precious moment. Together with Father Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, regional assistant for Asia Pacific, and Father Leo Agung Sardi, SJ, spiritual director at the Collegio Internazionale del Gesù, we enjoyed an intense conversation with Father General for no less than an hour at the Curia Generalizia, Borgo Santo Spirito 4, Rome.   The content of the conversation was truly impressive, affirming, and moving. Therefore, we would like to share it through this writing. Here are three important things that Father General conveyed in the conversation.   Joint Mission or Shared mission (la mission compartida) As explained in the book Walking with Ignatius, Father General explains amazingly the meaning of the Joint Mission. In our conversation, this refers to “the joint mission of Jesuits and laity.” This topic is also relevant to our concerns, such as lay people working in institutions of the Society of Jesus.   Father General explained that the meaning of “Joint Mission” is not merely sharing the mission of the Society of Jesus with all members of the institution or can be exemplified, for example, in the form of mission-sharing activities that are often carried out between work institutions. More than that, joint Mission means that Jesuits and laity together realize and provide themselves as instruments (tools) of God in carrying out His mission in the world, namely bringing the good news. This mission belongs to the Jesuits, the Church, and all of God’s people who carry out Jesus’ mission in the world.   Father General’s statement felt jarring for those who have often thought of themselves as professional workers in the Society of Jesus’ work institutions. “Simply contributing professional skills” in the dynamics of company management is not enough. It is more than that. All members of the Society’s work need to take part in the meaning of the work, the distinctive identity, and the source of inspiration of the Society of Jesus. By working in the Society of Jesus’ work institutions, everyone should not just be an outsider or apathetic but must become proactive to walk together as “companions in the mission,” becoming witnesses of salvation (companeros en la mission) in the world through daily work.   Collaboration (Jesuit-lay) The consequence of this awareness of the “Common Mission” is establishing collaboration between Jesuits and the laity around them. Collaboration is not just co-working but truly providing oneself to work with others. It is not enough to have many collaborators; what is more important is the existence of openness, quality, depth, and sincerity in the process of working together with others.   For the Jesuits, the presence of lay colleagues can be a kind of “vaccine” to prevent clericalism or feudalism. For the laity, the presence of the Jesuits is a kind of “compass” that shows direction and purpose. Both parties need to continue to struggle to be more open to differences in perspective from each other. Among the Jesuits themselves, there needs to be continued encouragement of the desire to struggle in sharing missionary missions with lay colleagues.   Walking With Young People For those of us struggling with socializing with young employees from generations Y and Z, one of the challenges that is not easy is introducing them to Ignatian Spirituality, which is the institution’s spirit. Faced with the orientation of most young employees who tend to be more interested in secular and professional matters, sometimes Ignatian Spirituality feels “not so interesting” in motivating their work. Responding to this, Father General emphasized that it is still necessary to consistently carry out the Ignatian formation process in any situation, especially very challenging ones. Ignatian Spirituality is a way to show the way to God. This way, it does not need to be forced on others, but it is necessary to continue to be offered and introduced to many people, including young people.   Father General gave an example that in all educational institutions of the Society of Jesus, students are introduced to the basics of the Spiritual Exercises from an early age, such as examen, reflection, and spiritual conversations. In the company context, this example confirms that we should continue introducing new employees to the basics of spiritual exercises from an early age. Father General’s statement affirms that we should pay attention to the details of the process and dynamics of Ignatian formation for employees from the first time they join.   This memorable meeting ended with dinner with members of the general curia. We are grateful that healthy food satisfies us physically, but the messages delivered by Father General satiate us spiritually. That night, we went home with deep consolation.   Contributors: Mg. Sulistyorini and Peter Satriyo Sinubyo – PT Kanisius

On Saturday, December 13, Father James Bharataputra, SJ, received the New Gamaliel award for his efforts in serving the people in Indonesia, especially by building the Maria Annai Velangkanni Prayer Garden in Medan.   As is widely known, this prayer garden illustrates the presence of all religions in Indonesia, helping and assisting each other. This prayer garden is a symbol of tolerance. Father James said that the purpose of building this prayer garden was to attract pilgrims from all walks of life. He does two things, namely helping pilgrims to meet God and reminding all pilgrims that they are children of one God, whatever their religious beliefs. This teaches an attitude of mutual respect and love as brothers and sisters because all humans are children of the same Father in Heaven. Father James wanted to realize the prayer of a psalmist, “How beautiful it is to live as brothers and sisters in the house of God on earth!”   The Asian Centre for Cross-Cultural Studies awarded Father James Bharataputra, SJ, as the “Today’s Gamaliel of Tamil Nadu.” The award ceremony was held at Vailankanni Basilica, India. Father James was surprised by the extraordinary appreciation from the Bishop of Tanjavur and Cardinal Bo of Myanmar.   What exactly is the meaning of this award? Gamaliel was a highly respected teacher or rabbi for his profound Torah knowledge and wisdom. His wisdom is evident in his advice to the Sanhedrin, where he advised not to punish the apostles because if their work came from God, it could not be hindered. Because of his knowledge, wisdom, influence, and essential role in education, Gamaliel is considered one of the leading and respected teachers in Jewish and Christian history. The committee of the Asian Center for Cross-Cultural Studies saw that what Father James did was the work of God. He held a catechesis of faith through visual images in the Maria Velangkani Prayer Park in Medan so that everyone, especially the people in Medan, could see God more concretely and visually.   Father James added that the construction of the prayer garden began with his dream to invite everyone to meet God. “I believe God tells me the details through my dreams. Sometimes, I wake up from my dreams and write down some of the details of my dreams so that I don’t forget. I don’t know how to describe this extraordinary spiritual experience. It’s like God is dictating His plan for the Prayer Garden in detail as I continue to build it.”   For him, the entire architectural design resulted from his dream when contemplating the mystery of the Incarnation in the Second Week of the Spiritual Exercises. All are artistically represented through paintings and sculptures in the Indo-Saracenic style. This prayer garden combines the basic human needs depicted in the lower room. The prayer and worship space is on the middle floor. The section on divine mysteries or heaven is located above. Seven levels depict the seven levels of heaven or the seven sacraments. Father James Bharataputra has contributed to Medan’s religious-cultural diversity and tourism because this Holy Place attracts pilgrims from all religions. His life has been a blessing to many people.   Let us rejoice in the inspiration of Father James’ extraordinary dreams that have been appreciated by many people, especially Catholics in Tamil Nadu, India. Father Sindhunata also gave his appreciation in his autobiography. He wrote: “The grandeur and beauty of this holy place is a manifestation of the inculturation process between his homeland, Tamil Nadu, and the land of Sumatra. This holy place has become a meeting place for heaven and earth – where the divine and the human embrace each other – where God wants to meet His people, regardless of race, belief, and language.”   This extraordinary moment is a sign for Father James to return to his homeland. He is now ready to leave the Maria Velangkanni Prayer Garden, which develops the people’s faith in Indonesia, and is also ready to end his missionary period in Indonesia. He has been a missionary in Indonesia for 50 years and has made many contributions to people from various religions in Indonesia. Now, this prayer garden is managed by RD Gundo Franci Saragih. Hopefully, Father James’ dream of building the people’s faith in the land of Medan will continue to be preserved with RD Gundo.   Thank you, and congratulations, Father James, for this incredible work of God in Indonesia. Welcome back to the fresh air of Tamil Nadu.   Contributor: P Ignatius Windar Santoso, S.J.

On December 10, 2024, coinciding with World Human Rights Day, the Provincial of the Society of Jesus of the Indonesian Province, Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan, SJ, inaugurated the establishment of PRAKSIS (Center for Research and Advocacy of the Society of Jesus). As a new work of the Indonesian Jesuits, the establishment of PRAKSIS embodies the Apostolic Plan of the Indonesian Province to establish a “center for studies and advocacy that will become the ‘spokesperson’ of the Society of Jesus in public discussions on social issues.”   The inauguration ceremony began with a Eucharistic celebration at the Chapel of St. Peter Canisius, Jakarta. Father Provincial led the celebration, accompanied by the Foundation Management and the PRAKSIS Board of Directors. In his homily, the Provincial Father stated that the establishment of PRAKSIS refers to Jesus’ call in the Sermon on the Mount to be a light. This call is realized by establishing a research and advocacy institution that can present Catholic ideas and perspectives in a joint effort to support the democratization process in Indonesia.   The event continued with the presentation of the results of PRAKSIS’s first research, “Seeking Democracy that Promotes the Common Good.” This research highlights the challenges of Indonesian democracy in the last decade (2014-2024), such as the narrowing of the space for citizen participation and the shrinking middle class. The PRAKSIS report then concludes with recommendations based on the Church’s Social Teaching, including protecting human dignity and civil liberties, empowering grassroots communities, and promoting just economic policies.   Bringing Mission to Life Through Research, Advocacy, and Education PRAKSIS is designed to be a knowledge center that combines the power of scientific analysis with the insight of the Catholic faith. Its three main pillars are: research, advocacy, and education. Through research, PRAKSIS produces innovative and implementable studies on social, political, and economic issues. Through advocacy, PRAKSIS voices policies that support the common good to stakeholders. Through education, PRAKSIS organizes seminars, courses, and workshops that introduce the Social Teaching of the Church and discuss the challenges of the times.   This initiative has received a warm welcome from various circles. In her keynote speech at PRAKSIS’s inauguration, Ms. Alissa Wahid, National Coordinator of the GUSDURian Network, emphasized the importance of institutions such as PRAKSIS in strengthening democracy.   2025 Program and Future Hopes The founding of PRAKSIS is a call for all those of goodwill to participate in advancing the common good. With the spirit of ” Fate Chiasso !” or “Make a sound that echoes!” as called by Pope Francis, PRAKSIS invites the Church, Catholics, and all parties of goodwill to advance the common good.   PRAKSIS has prepared various programs for 2025. The Research and Advocacy Division will conduct research with four main themes and will routinely hold the PRAKSIS Forum. Meanwhile, the Public Engagement Division will have seminars, courses, workshops, and retreats to instill an understanding of the Catholic faith among Catholics, especially the Social Teachings of the Church. The inaugural seminar from the Public Engagement Division is planned to be held in February 2025. The topic raised reflects the message and impact of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Indonesia in early September 2024.   The establishment of PRAKSIS is an effort by the Society of Jesus to collaborate in advancing the common good in Indonesia. Precisely because of that, PRAKSIS wants to collaborate with all parties. There is no common good without mutual involvement.   Contributor: P Heinrich Angga Indraswara, SJ