The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (PWPN) in Indonesia recently celebrated a significant event: the visit of its International Director, Fr. Cristóbal Fones, SJ, in February 2025. This visit aimed to understand the local context of Indonesia, to explore how the apostolate is carried out, and to identify both challenges and opportunities for growth. Fr. Cristóbal, a Chilean Jesuit who officially assumed his role as International Director on January 1, 2025, also visited Malaysia, Singapore, and Timor-Leste during his Asia-Pacific tour.
His visit to Indonesia, from February 22 to 27, 2025, was packed with meaningful activities. In Jakarta, he visited the Cathedral Church, Terowongan Silaturahim (Tunnel of Friendship) which was inaugurated by Pope Francis last year, and the Istiqlal Mosque. He also concelebrated Mass at the Cathedral. The following day, he participated in a public seminar on The Way of the Heart with Fr. Sindhunata, SJ, which brought together various Ignatian spirituality communities such as Magis, Christian Life Community (CLC), First Spiritual Exercises (FSE), Schooled by Spirit (SBS), and Aminigo. Fr. Cristóbal also introduced PWPN to students at Canisius College.
In Yogyakarta, he met with Fr. Antonius Sumarwan, SJ, the National Coordinator of PWPN Indonesia. There, he visited Pusat Musik Liturgi (Center for Liturgical Music), the office of Yayasan Basis which publishes the official PWPN magazines Utusan (the Messenger), and Omah Petroek which provides several sites for reflecting the way or the heart. PWPN Indonesia also organized a Mass and a song parade at St. Antonius Padua Church. The journey continued to Central Java, where Fr. Cristóbal visited Mertoyudan Minor Seminary and attended the first Mass of Fr. Petrik Yoga, Pr, an active member of PWPN Indonesia. In Wonosobo, he was treated to an exceptional dance performance by students from SLB/B (school for students with special needs) Dena Upakara, accompanied by the Sisters of PMY. The visit concluded with a trip to the Borobudur Temple.
Throughout his visit, Fr. Cristóbal shared the essence of PWPN, its spiritual foundation, and its mission. Here are some key highlights.
Friendship with Jesus
At the heart of PWPN’s mission is a personal friendship with Jesus. Rooted in the spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, PWPN unites over 22 million Catholics across more than 90 countries. This spirituality is introduced through The Way of the Heart, a formation module consisting of nine steps of reflection that help participants understand the Hearts of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This module serves as a guide to cultivating a heart capable of embracing a mission of compassion for the world.
Since 2023, PWPN Indonesia has adapted The Way of the Heart as an annual retreat module. In celebration of the Jubilee of the Sacred Heart, PWPN Indonesia also used this module as the theme for its prayer booklet and as a year-long reflection resource. Monthly online spiritual exercises and conversations are held on the second Monday of each month.
Fr. Cristóbal not only speaks about friendship with Jesus but also lives it deeply. During discussions with students at Kolese Kanisius and Mertoyudan Minor Seminary, he shared that Jesus is his closest friend. He revealed that as a teenager, he often wrote letters to Jesus, and even now, Jesus remains his best friend.
The Apostolate of Prayer
One of PWPN’s primary missions is to pray for and spread the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions. The International PWPN team promotes this through The Pope Video and the Click to Pray app, which provides morning, midday, and evening prayers to support the Pope’s intentions.
PWPN Indonesia actively supports these initiatives by collaborating with the National Office for Pontifical Missions (BN-KKI) to translate The Pope Video subtitles and infographics into Indonesian. Materials from Click to Pray are also regularly translated and shared on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
During Fr. Cristóbal’s visit, PWPN Indonesia organized a song parade, “Prayer Songs for the World” after the daily Mass at St. Antonius Padua Kotabaru Church. Singing, often considered “praying twice,” helped the congregation better understand PWPN’s spirituality and mission. The event featured the “Daily Offering Prayer” song in Indonesian and English, composed by Damian Alma.
Fr. Cristóbal also emphasized the role of music in evangelization. With the motto, “Music as a service of faith and promotion of justice,” he has released 12 albums. Despite his musical talents, he humbly stated, “I am not a musician or a singer; I am simply a priest.” For him, music is a form of apostolate and service.
Formation of the Youth
PWPN is deeply committed to the formation and accompaniment of young people. Its youth community, the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM), is coordinated in Indonesia by Fr. John Nugroho, SJ. Inspired by the pedagogy of the Emmaus disciples, EYM focuses on the Gospel, the Eucharist, and Mission, inviting young people aged 5 to 25 to live like Jesus in a heart-to-heart friendship with Him.
During his visit, Fr. Cristóbal introduced EYM to students at Canisius College and Mertoyudan Minor Seminary. The students enthusiastically engaged with him, asking questions about faith, vocation, PWPN’s mission, and how he integrates music into his ministry.
Fr. Cristóbal also had the opportunity to meet students from SLB/B Dena Upakara in Wonosobo, a school for children with hearing impairments. The students joyfully performed three dances, leaving a profound impression on Fr. Cristóbal. He emphasized that these children deserve our attention and care, highlighting the importance of inclusive ministry.
A New Spirit for PWPN Indonesia
Fr. Cristóbal’s visit brought fresh energy to PWPN Indonesia. It reminded us to move beyond promoting prayer and to become a community that lives out a mission of compassion for the world. Ultimately, PWPN Indonesia is a movement of the heart. Encounters like these serve as pathways for hearts to share, inspire, and unite in prayer.
Contributor: Stella Vania and P Antonius Sumarwan, S.J. – PWPN Indonesia
