Bellarminus Day 2025:

On September 17, 2025, the academic community of Sanata Dharma University (USD) celebrated Bellarminus Day 2025 at the Chapel of St. Robertus Bellarminus. This year’s celebration was especially significant due to the completion of the chapel’s renovation, which enhanced its beauty and made it more suitable for prayer and worship. The event included a lively Eucharistic celebration, during which the statue of St. Robert Bellarmine was blessed, symbolizing love for truth and dedication to the Church and society.

The Mass was presided over by the Rector of USD, Father A. Bagus Laksana S.J., alongside nine Jesuits from the Bellarminus Community. In his homily, Father Bagus compared two Italian saints from different eras, St. Carlo Acutis and St. Robert Bellarmine. Despite their different time periods, both saints responded to God’s call and made significant contributions to society, despite facing challenges related to faith and science. Father Bagus encouraged the academic community to emulate these saints by being creative and wise, particularly in utilizing technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Inspirational speeches were given by the Chairperson of the Management Board of Sanata Dharma Foundation, Father C. Kuntoro Adi, S.J., who expressed hopes for the renovated chapel to be a welcoming space for people and God, and by Father G. Budi Subanar, S.J., speaking on behalf of the Apostolic Community of Kolese Santo Robertus Bellarminus, who shared the history of the chapel and its connection to the Jesuit mission. This community was first listed on the IDO Catalogue in 1961, comprising 10 foreign Jesuits and only one Indonesian, Fr. N. Driyarkara, S.J. Yet today, there are 10 Indonesian Jesuits and one missionary, Fr. James Spillane, S.J.

After the Eucharist, a lively social gathering featured a symbolic cutting of a traditional cone-shaped rice dish by Fr. A. Hartana, S.J., the renovation coordinator. It continued with artistic performances from various student communities, including Floba-Mora, Mentawai, KMHD Swastikataruna, CANA, the Catholic Students Association (JKMK), Paingan (KOMPAI), and the Muslim Family (FKM) Budi Utama. The celebration served as a reflective moment, reminding everyone to pursue holiness amid the challenges of modern education. Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam.

Contributor: Campus Ministry Universitas Sanata Dharma