Eucharist of The Youth of Johar Baru 2025:
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Scholasticate of Johar Baru, Jakarta, hosted EKM (Eucharist Youth Movement) that focused on faith and contemporary life. The theme, “By Healing the World, We Rise Together,” highlighted the Society of Jesus’ preference to care for our planet. Approximately 120 participants from various communities attended, including members from Jesuit Vocation Promoters, MAGIS Jakarta, and Atma Jaya University of Jakarta. The diversity of the participants made the EKM a lively and relevant celebration.
The event began with a Creative Mass led by Fr. Effendi Kusuma Sunur, S.J., who urged participants to think about love in ecological terms. He stressed that indifference is a greater problem than hatred when it comes to environmental harm. Fr. Effendi’s message encouraged attendees to reflect on their habits and recognize that loving God also involves caring for His creation. The liturgy was enhanced by the presence of Sisca Saras, a former JKT48 member, who performed as the psalmist and contributed to a prayerful atmosphere.
A notable feature of this year’s EKM was the altar made from 86 Eco-bricks, created by the Johar Baru brothers. These Eco-bricks are constructed using plastic bottles filled with non-biodegradable waste. This project demonstrated a practical commitment to ecological care.
After the Eucharist, participants engaged in small group discussions. Each session began with an ecology video, followed by three rounds of sharing. The first round prompted individuals to consider their ecological lifestyles. The next encouraged empathy by sharing experiences, and the final round asked each participant to commit to specific ecological actions as a result of their involvement. This format provided a reflective space to enhance ecological awareness and drive lifestyle changes.
The mood shifted to celebration with a People’s Party and Art Performance, where communities showcased music, poetry, and other artistic contributions. This demonstrated that young people’s faith is vibrant, creative, and joyful. Local micro and small enterprises set up stalls, which supported the local economy. Such initiatives highlight that caring for the earth includes building connections with others.
Towards the end of the event, Gobind Vashdev, a writer and ecological facilitator, spoke about the root of ecological issues being a spiritual crisis within humans. He explained that environmental degradation often stems from greed and a lack of gratitude, suggesting that when people forget to be content, they harm the earth. Gobind urged participants to reflect on their inner selves before blaming external factors. He emphasized that unsustainable behavior towards nature is often a sign of an unfulfilled spirit.
The Jesuit scholastics involved in organizing the EKM learned valuable lessons in listening, teamwork, and fostering ecological awareness among youth. They recognized that the event was not merely a celebration but also a key aspect of their formation as “Men for Others.” The Eucharist represents an ongoing journey of growth, ecological responsibility, and an expression of faith, rather than just an annual event.
Contributor: Sch. Ignatius Dio Ernanda Johandika, S.J.
