On Tuesday evening, February 4, 2025, at 5:27 local time, Father Augustinus Mangunhardjana, S. J., passed away at Santa Elisabeth Hospital in Semarang at the age of 82. He was a member of the Apostolic Community at the Santo Stanislaus Kostka College in Girisonta. Father Mangunhardjana was a senior Jesuit with a long Jesuit formation and contributed significantly to the governance of the Society of Jesus in Indonesia and other pastoral works.
Born in Sleman-Yogyakarta on August 28, 1943, he was the son of Mr. Samidi Mangunhardjana and Mrs. Juventia Masirah Mangunhardjana. He was baptized at St. Joseph’s Church in Medari, Sleman, and spent his childhood in Malang Village, Medari-Sleman. After finishing elementary school, he continued his secondary education at St. Peter Canisius’ Seminary in Magelang from 1956 to 1963. He became interested in becoming a Jesuit and entered St. Stanislaus Novitiate in Girisonta on September 7, 1963. He made his first vows on September 8, 1965.
After his first vows, he spent a year in the Juniorate program at Santo Stanislaus College in Girisonta before studying philosophy in Pune, India, for four years from 1966 to 1970, where he received his tonsure and minor orders on February 4, 1969. Following his philosophy studies, he served as Assistant Secretary at Kanisius Foundation in Semarang for two years before studying theology for three years at Wedabhakti Pontifical Faculty of Theology – Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta. During his theology studies, he received diaconal ordination on September 17, 1975, and sacerdotal ordination on December 3, 1975, by the Archbishop of Semarang, Mgr. Justinus Cardinal Darmojuwono. He pronounced his final vows as a professed Jesuit on February 16, 1983, at the Chapel of Provincial’s House in Karangpanas-Semarang and received by Fr. Julius Darmaatmadja, S.J.
After his ordination, he served at various ministries, including as a prefect of discipline at Kolese de Britto High School in Yogyakarta and in different educational and pastoral ministries. Father Mangunhardjana was recognized for his dedication to writing and translating works in education and leadership.
His body was laid at Santa Elisabeth Hospital’s funeral home from the evening of February 4, 2025, until the morning of February 5, 2025. A Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday morning, February 5, 2025, at 11:00 at St. Stanislaus Church, Girisonta, followed by burial at Taman Makam Maria Ratu Damai in the College of St. Stanislaus’ compound. All members of the province are requested to celebrate a special Eucharist for the peace of Father Augustinus Mangunhardjana’s soul.
