English

Magis Asia Pacific 2025 Representing Magis Indonesia at the Magis Asia Pacific 2025 forum is a great blessing for me. Before learning this news, I felt desolate, but Father Koko Siswijayanto told me I was chosen to represent Magis Indonesia. I saw this as a gift from God for my patience during tough times. I received the news joyfully and began preparing with the Magis Indonesia team. We worked together to handle tasks like office work, visa arrangements, and other coordination, making everything easier.   When everything was set, I informed my parents and close friends and asked for their prayers for the 10 days I would be in Taiwan. They responded joyfully and prayed for my journey. Upon arrival in Taiwan, we were welcomed by cold, cloudy weather and rain. The committee picked us up and took us to St. Ignatius Loyola School. I shared a room with representatives from Magis Japan and Magis Singapore. Our activities included gathering in the school hall, meeting representatives from 11 countries, sharing cultures, attending presentations and group reflections, attending daily mass, and participating in the Magis Experiment.   In this Magis Experiment, I chose to help marginalized people and was placed in a group with a coordinator, a priest, and friends from Magis Singapore, Korea, and the Philippines. Before starting our activities, we wrote down our fears, and mine was about the language barrier with the homeless and our living arrangements. On the first day, we visited an NGO, where a companion helped us translate from Mandarin to English, and my fears faded as we finally communicated well.     We also explored various places, including a historic temple, which was special since it was my first time in Taiwan. In the evening, we prepared food for the homeless near the station. That night, we took the MRT and walked to meet them, dividing into groups led by a priest. While distributing food and talking, I felt God’s presence reminding me of my own comfortable home. I realized the contrast between my warm, dry room and their cardboard beds. I was moved by their joy at our visit and expressed my gratitude to God for my home and supportive family. I had an enlightening experience during the Magis Experiment in Taiwan, where I met Indonesian fishermen and home care workers, and their stories highlighted the emotional weight of their experiences. An Indonesian female migrant worker shared her sacrifice of leaving her young child to earn a living while yearning for her child’s educational future in Taiwan. I reflected on my own job complaints, recognized the hardships workers face, and was moved by the love and resilience of migrant workers. The group shared a meal, strengthening their bonds and fostering a sense of family and community.   Throughout the two-night experience, fears expressed before the trip dissipated, as I felt a divine presence guiding me through necessary comforts and relationships formed. I realized a calling to serve marginalized individuals, embracing humility and the present moment. The ten days passed quickly, filled with unforgettable experiences, interactions, and support from the Magis community and committee. Upon returning to Indonesia, I felt rejuvenated, at peace, and more connected to God, which helped heal previous loneliness and fears. The overall event was smooth, reinforcing a renewed spirit and commitment to service.     Contributor: Magdalena Prita – Delegate of Magis Indonesia

The Journey of the Ignatian Companions of Bongsari The quote “Finding God in all things” is a key teaching of St. Ignatius de Loyola, embraced by the Ignatian Companions at St. Theresia Bongsari Parish, Semarang. Sixteen out of 32 young participants aged 17-21 completed the Ignatian Youth 2025 program from May to December 2025. They learned about Ignatian spirituality and self-awareness through the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, along with meditation and silent prayer exercises.   Many participants struggled with meditational prayer at first. Distractions included room temperature and noise, while some experienced discomfort during prayer. Mentors explained that such feelings indicated that participants were becoming aware of their mental state during prayer. Meditational prayer helped them recognize their situations and emotional states.   Participants also engaged in personal reflections led by Father Agustinus Sarwanto, S. J., focusing on common fears such as fear of missing out (FOMO), fear of others’ opinions, and the idea of only living once (YOLO). Father Sarwanto encouraged them to consider their internal and external fears, revealing that many participants feared the future.     Following several meetings and their first retreat at the KSED Retreat House, participants noticed personal changes. They learned to confront their fears and felt more comfortable trusting God with outcomes after doing their best.   The culmination of their journey was the Ignatian Retreat at Panti Semedi Retreat House in Klaten from December 12-14, 2025. During this retreat, they practiced what they had learned, especially silent prayer, for three days in a period of silence with minimal communication.   The dedication of mentors and the Salmeron team led to increased participation in church activities and the Catholic Youth Organization (OMK), creating hope for ongoing positive impacts for future generations.     Contributor: Anastasia Adristri – Parish of St. Theresia Bongsari, Semarang

The courtyard of the Bintang Laut Building of St. Joseph Gedangan Catholic Church was filled with people dressed in traditional clothing and unique costumes to participate in the Amazing Race. The event aimed to explore the history of the Church as part of preparations for the 150th anniversary of its consecration on December 12, 2025. Initially scheduled for September 2025, the event was postponed due to the socio-political situation. It was finally held on January 16, 2026. Despite rainy weather, the day of the event was cool and ideal for sports, which boosted enthusiasm among the congregation and the organizing committee.   Knowing the History The cheers of 190 participants divided into 18 groups kicked off the Amazing Race. Each group followed a different route with stations offering excitement. The “code-breaking” station used Morse code to encourage people to understand that faith reaches all nations. The “puzzle-solving” station asked participants to assemble a puzzle featuring photos of Gedangan Church from the 1900s to illustrate the roles of various parties in establishing the church.   Historic Sites The Amazing Race is a way for people to learn more about the history of Gedangan Catholic Church, with stop points that have significant historical value in the development of faith and the church. One of these stop points is the Protestant Church in Western Indonesia (GPIB) Immanuel or Blenduk Church, which was the initial location for the celebration of the Eucharist for Catholics in Semarang.   Taman Srigunting No. 5-6 was once a church and residence for priests, but is now a destination for contemporary art performance and exhibition. Father J. Lijnen built the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gedangan in a strategic location. Two other sites are the Oudetrap Theater, which functions as an art gallery and cultural heritage building, and Rumah Akar. Although not directly related to Gedangan Church, these places bear witness to the historical development of the Catholic faith in Gedangan and the role of missionaries.   Homeward Bound After tirelessly exploring buildings and historical sites in Kota Lama (the old town), all participants and organizers gathered inside Gedangan Church. It turned out that, even though they had been the congregation members of Gedangan Church for a long time, not all of them were familiar with its history. The Amazing Race became a way for the congregation to get to know and feel the traces of the development and growth of the Catholic faith that began in the central area of Semarang’s Old Town. Isn’t it true that to get to know and become close to something, the congregation needs to explore the historical sites of their own church?     Community Festival The Amazing Race series featured a cheerleading competition among groups. Participants showcased their cheers and movements, with Benedictus Banjarsari and Marta Mlayu Darat congregational units, mainly consisting of parents, delivering entertaining performances. The congregation generously provided prizes, and the event concluded with the announcement of the winners.   Dream Comes True That afternoon, the parishioners of Gedangan returned home joyfully after participating in the fun walk and learning about history, which they had been looking forward to since 2025. It was a celebration and a reminder that God always has the best plan. Through the Amazing Race, the congregation became even more determined to love their church and its history. The history of Gedangan Catholic Church and Kota Lama of Semarang is intertwined, showing how the Catholic faith has developed. This moment is expected to encourage Gedangan parishioners to support one another, just as the pillars support the magnificent the Church of Gedangan.     Contributor: Sch. Engelbertus Viktor Daki, S.J.

Balkondes Ngadiraharjo, Borobudur, Magelang (November 16, 2025) – The modern gamelan orchestra from Loyola High School in Semarang, known as Gamelan Soepra (Gamsoep), recently gained valuable experience by delivering a stunning performance as the closing act of the “ANGKRINGAN BOROBUDUR; Nglaras Raga, Nglaras Rasa, Nglaras Wirama,” or simply making body and mind in harmony through music, an event by LONGRUNRANGERS, a running community founded in 2018. The main stage, located at the Community Hall (Balkondes) of Ngadiraharjo, witnessed the fusion of sports, travel, and cultural arts expression in an area surrounded by beautiful scenery.     Exploring the Temple and Returning to Semarang The next day, the Gamsoep members went on a cultural tour. After checking out of Balkondes at 9:00 A.M., we immediately departed for the Borobudur Temple complex.   Accompanied by a tour guide, we visited the museum before climbing to the temple’s summit. We learned about the history, interesting facts, and life lessons, such as the law of Karma and the construction mechanism of Borobudur Temple, and debunked myths about Borobudur Temple. We gained many valuable lessons during this session. Only then did we climb to the top of Borobudur   Temple, understanding its meaning and value firsthand, and participating in preserving and respecting the existing customs. The visit to this world heritage site became a cool-down and reflection session on the cultural heritage they had represented on stage. Not only that, but this trip also fostered and developed in us, as the young generation of Indonesia, a love for the homeland and pride in Indonesia’s cultural diversity.   At exactly 12:00 P.M., the Gamsoep group departed for Semarang. The atmosphere inside the bus throughout the trip home was filled with laughter and close camaraderie. All team members agreed that this performance and visit to Borobudur Temple was a very enjoyable experience.     Reflections and Hopes The performance of Gamelan Soepra, which blends gamelan with hit songs across genres (from Anoman Obong to Laskar Pelangi), has proven that traditional art is not rigid and timeless. As young people with an interest in music, we, the members of Gamelan Soepra, are very proud and happy to perform as intermediaries, bringing gamelan into the realm of modern and popular music. We are also grateful for the audience’s positive response, which included dancing and singing along with Soepra’s performance.   Moving forward, Gamelan Soepra strives to be the premier platform for learning and appreciating gamelan music. Every rehearsal and performance is dedicated to building collaboration and community between players and audiences. We also seek to partner with various groups and events, spreading the values of togetherness, musical collaboration, and cultural exchange to broader audiences.       Contributor: Felicia Edita Arga & Jason Alexander Cahyadi Santoso – Students of Loyola College Senior High School

The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and the Dicastery for Communication are launching the “Praying with the Pope” project, a new initiative to serve the Holy Father’s mission. Starting in January 2026, and as a continuation of the mission launched by Pope Francis, Pope Leo XVI will share his monthly prayer intentions in video and audio formats. This initiative invites the Universal Church and all people of goodwill to unite spiritually in the same prayer.   The initiative aims to increase the visibility of the Holy Father’s prayer intentions by using appropriate prayer language in a new format, so they can better reach the faithful worldwide, especially in today’s digital communication landscape. At the launch, the International Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Father Cristóbal Fones, SJ, explained that “Praying with the Pope” is the Pope’s initiative to help everyone concretely join in the prayer intentions he proposes each month, and thus open their hearts to the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church.   A Work of Collaboration The video and audio recording “Praying with the Pope” is a means of uniting the Universal Church in prayer. This project is also a collaboration between the Dicastery for Communication and the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. This work is a tangible sign of how the Holy See’s communication efforts foster the communion of the entire Church and walk together synodally. The Pope’s intimate and universal prayer is offered in a new, simple yet powerful way, as a real instrument of our unity and communion in God.     These videos and audio recordings are expected to be a meeting point for millions of people, members of the same body, who are fully present in the digital world and in the physical places where they live, starting from within each person’s heart. It is hoped that these videos and audio recordings can be used in neighborhood, regional, parish, or grassroots community activities.   Collaboration in promoting the Holy Father’s videos is not new for the Holy Father’s Worldwide Prayer Network – Indonesia. Since 2023, the Holy Father’s Worldwide Prayer Network – Indonesia has collaborated with the Indonesian Papal Mission to translate the video subtitles into Indonesian. These videos are then uploaded to the Missio Nusantara YouTube channel and Instagram @pwpn.indonesia.   This involvement is a tangible manifestation of the support that the Worldwide Prayer Network of the Holy Father has provided for more than 180 years. Today, this network continues to renew its mission through new content and resources to encourage greater participation and access for all believers.     Contributor: PWPN Indonesian Team

Sourdough bread is made with natural yeast derived from a mixture of water and flour. Its production is more difficult than that of other breads that use instant yeast, as it requires patience and precision. However, when it is successful, this bread just offers a unique taste and better health benefits.     On Sunday, December 28, 2025, Sch. Alfa Almakios Dwi Prawiro Leton took his First Vows in the Society of Jesus at the chapel of Hermanum College, Jakarta. He joined nine scholastics of his batch who had taken their First Vows six months earlier. The Mass was presided over by the Provincial, Fr. Benedictus Hari Juliawan, and was accompanied by the rector of Hermanum College, Fr. Augustinus Setyo Wibowo, S.J. Dwi’s family also joined in the Mass. In his homily, Fr. Beni compared the formation process of a Jesuit to the making of sourdough bread, emphasizing that both require patience and time.   After waiting, Sch. Alfa pronounced his first vows, promised to live a pure, obedient, and poor life, and to join the Society of Jesus in accordance with their Constitution. The First Vows in the Society of Jesus are perpetual, unlike other orders, which are temporary and require annual renewal. The Society of Jesus will assess the suitability of a Jesuit before inviting him to take his final vows, which signify full acceptance as a member.     In modern times, the three vows taken by Jesuits—poverty, chastity, and obedience—can raise questions about their relevance. However, for the Society of Jesus, these vows are even more important. Jesuits are committed to deepening these values, recognizing that worldly possessions belong to God and should be used to save souls. The vow of chastity does not preclude love; on the contrary, love is the basis of this vow, which encourages wholehearted service. Obedience does not make Jesuits like robots, but encourages them to live creatively and faithfully.   These vows are likened to flour and water in the making of sourdough bread. In working out their vows, Jesuits can benefit souls like good bread. Although the vows do not make a Jesuit holy, and they experience struggles, these vows provide direction and purpose in life. It is important for Jesuits to seek God’s guidance in living out these vows, including in their desire to carry them out and in obtaining the grace to do so according to God’s will.     Contributor: Sch. Adrianus Raditya I., S.J.

In the Society of Jesus, tertianship formation is the final training period before a Jesuit pronouncing final vows. After years of study and work, Jesuits in tertianship are invited to revisit key Jesuit sources, including the life of St Ignatius, his Spiritual Exercises, and the history of the Society of Jesus. During this time, tertians reflect on their vocation, relationship with God, and experiences in ministry. They also rest, pray, and reflect on their personal journeys. Tertians share their reflections and receive spiritual guidance from Tertian Directors. This year, the Indonesian Tertianship program, which runs from January to July, welcomes 8 priests from around the globe, including India, Italy, Malaysia, and the USA, accompanied by three tertian instructors: Fr. Wiryono Priyotamtama, Fr. Sunu Hardiyanta, and Fr. Priyo Poedjiono.   Here is the great batch of tertians that will make a deeper spiritual journey in Indonesia in the 2026 Tertianship Program.   P. Sujay Daniel D.G., S.J. Bangalore, Karnataka, India – 09 January 1982 Father Sujay, S.J., was ordained to the priesthood on December 1, 2016. He has worked in education management and dormitory supervision for marginalized communities (Siddi), pastoral ministry for young people, and formation of priest candidates, while pursuing doctoral studies in Neuroscience, which enriched his approach to ministry with a scientific perspective. My expectations are only from myself. I only expect myself to offer myself generously to the Lord. After that, whatever happens, happens!!!   P. Martinus Dam Febrianto, S.J. Lampung, Indonesia – 17 February 1981 Father Dam, S.J., ordained to the priesthood on August 19, 2021, works with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia to serve refugees, providing emotional support and meeting basic needs. Since 2022, he has served as the Country Director of JRS Indonesia while remaining directly involved in providing assistance in various regions. I want to make myself fully available to the Lord, to enter this time with honesty and freedom, and to allow myself to be formed, challenged, and renewed. Beyond that, I just want to enjoy this moment of gratitude!   P. Parthasarathi N, S.J. Chennai, India – 22 April 1986 Ordained to the priesthood on August 26, 2017, Father Sarathi, S.J., is engaged in pastoral and missionary work with young people through parish ministry and community outreach. In addition, he is involved in the AICUF Tamil Nadu (All India Catholic University Federation), the development of Jesuit digital and global learning, while pursuing doctoral studies in Management with a focus on social entrepreneurship. Listening to the Call of God, People at the Periphery, especially to the young ones, and to my soul intently with faith and more openness to the universal mission of the Society of Jesus and the Church.   P. Luigi Territo, S.J. Genova (Italia) – 27 April 1980 Ordained to the priesthood on February 22, 2020, Father Luigi, S.J. works in spiritual guidance, formation of priest candidates, and academia in Southern Italy. He serves as a spiritual director at a secondary school in Naples, a formator at the Pontifical Interregional Major Seminary of Campania, and a professor in theology at the Pontifical Faculty in Naples, Italy, specializing in the Trinity and dialogue with Islam. After five years of my ordination, I feel that the time has come to reread this whole story with the Lord, especially in the light of the priestly ministry. These last years have been very intense; I have worked a lot with the seminarians for their spiritual formation, and I have studied with great dedication to complete my doctorate. Now it is time to stop and I want to return to the Lord to be with Him as a novice.   P. Rafael Mathando Hinganaday, S.J. Jakarta, Indonesia – 13 November 1988 Fr. Rafael began his apostolic ministry at Kolese St. Mikael Surakarta (2019–2021). He then pursued a Master’s degree in Management at Trisakti University while serving as the economist of Kolese Hermanum (2021–2023). From 2023 until January 2026, he worked as a staff member at Yadapen Pension Fund. From January to July 2026, he undertook tertianship as the final stage of Jesuit formation. To grow through this process into a Jesuit who loves God, the Society of Jesus, the Church, and the world to which I am being sent.   P. Joseph Koczera, S.J. New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA – 27 May 1980 From 2009 to 2012, during his regency, Father Joseph, S.J., taught philosophy at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia (USA). After being ordained a priest, he completed his doctoral studies in theology at the Centre Sèvres in Paris and has been teaching at the Pontificia Università Gregoriana in Rome since 2023. He also works part-time in parishes in Canada, France, and Italy, and is responsible for the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate all’Esquilino, a small church in Rome. I hope that my love for God will continue to grow and that, as a Jesuit, I will be increasingly able to respond to His call to serve Him sincerely, through my desire to fully participate in the Spiritual Exercises as a renewal of the experience of the long retreat I last underwent more than twenty years ago, when I was still a novice.   P. Leslie Joseph Bingkasan, S.J. Sabah, Malaysia – 27 April 1977 Fr. Leslie belongs to the Malaysia–Singapore Region and was born in the State of Sabah, East Malaysia. Some of his most cherished memories as a Jesuit come from parish ministry, both during his diaconate ministry in Sabah and in his current pastoral work. Since 2021, he has been serving at St. Ignatius Parish, Singapore, and since 2023 as an assistant parish priest. The parish’s highly diverse demographic has shown him that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to ministry, offering him a concrete space to live out Ignatian openness and availability. I hope that this tertianship will help me integrate years of Jesuit life and pastoral ministry experiences to grow and reinvigorate my Jesuit life and vocation.   P. Philipus Bagus Widyawan, S.J. Klaten, Indonesia – 18 November 1990 Soon after

A Reflection A total of 43 Jesuit scholastics from 15 countries gathered at the Scholastics and Brothers Circle (SBC) Meeting on December 22-30, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The theme discussed was “Youth in Relation to the Burgeoning of AI,” which described reflections on the rapid development of artificial intelligence. The meeting opened with an introduction by the Jesuit Region of Singapore-Malaysia, the host, and a presentation on youth ministry by Fr. Francis Lim, S.J. and Fr. Alvin Ng, S.J. The multinational atmosphere was evident in the use of English and the involvement of Malaysian Catholic youth.   Moving on to the main theme, William Tjhi from AI Singapore introduced the world of AI by explaining how it works, from its history beginning in 1956 to the shift from machine learning to deep learning. He discussed the films AlphaGo and The Imitation Game to show AI as a technological achievement and narrative phenomenon.     William highlighted the issue of bias in global AI development. The dominance of the West and China has led to the underrepresentation of Southeast Asia, which is a matter of fairness in representation. The involvement of cultural experts and local contexts is essential for inclusion.   He also discussed the limitations of AI, including hallucinations and the inability to predict the future. Despite the development of AI, he emphasized that AI cannot replace the presence of humans with all their complexity.   The reflection continued with an ethical and spiritual perspective from Benedict Chang, a lay theologian from Singapore. He stated that AI is an amoral but influential tool. AI makes many things easier, but it also risks reducing values such as a slow pace of life and deep relationships. Benedict also highlighted the spiritual concerns of young people in an algorithm-controlled world, where they are often seen as objects of consumption. He emphasized that faith does not grow solely from visual stimuli but requires time and focused attention.     In the AI Unboxed session, Darryl Ma from CelcomDigi discussed the limitations of generative AI, especially in language and meaning. AI often cannot capture word emphasis and personal relationships in communication. Therefore, context is very important. Darryl introduced the TCREI (Task, Context, References, Evaluate, Iterate) framework to create more conscious and critical prompts with AI. He also distinguished intelligence from wisdom, pointing out that AI lacks empathy. The “What the AI Can’t Do” program encouraged participants to share food with the homeless, emphasizing empathy and personal presence.   The closing reflection, led by P. Johnny Go, S.J., encouraged us to become pragmatic AI users, open to learning and using AI, while remaining critical of its impact. He emphasized that the learning process is a form of self-development, not just a quick way to achieve results. During the SBC Meeting 2025, participants realized that the existence of AI makes human life more complex. Therefore, we need to return to human values and build genuine interpersonal relationships. This meeting did not provide a definitive answer about AI, but it encouraged us to learn to use it for the common good and to maintain human relationships.     Contributor: Sch. Laurensius Herdian Pambudi, S.J.