Jesuit Novices and Pre-Novices took part in a workshop to advance public speaking skills held at St. Stanislaus Novitiate in Girisonta, from January 29 to 31, 2025. This workshop was organized by Frs. Franciscus Xaverius Murti Hadi Wijayanto, S.J., Yosephus Ispuroyanto Iswarahadi, S.J., and Mr. Noel Kefas of the Audio Visual Studio of Sanata Dharma University (SAV-USD) of Yogyakarta.

In his opening remarks, the Novice Master, Fr. Dominico Savio Octariano Widiantoro, S.J., emphasized the importance of this training; it is to prepare the novices to be effective communicators to accomplish their mission. 

On the first day, participants were introduced to the core concepts of public speaking, self-expression, theatrical performance theory, and sermon preparation, followed by physical and vocal exercises. On the following day, the Novices were assigned to compose poems and to collaborate in creating poetry performances. Two novices could not participate in this training due to sickness, yet their enthusiasm remained undiminished. The three groups presented a poetry performance in the recreation room that evening.

They demonstrated creative performances. Each presentation was evaluated by other groups, including novice staff and tutors. They still need to improve the clarity of their spoken words and the volume of their voice to allow the audience to easily understand the message of the performance. On the last day, the novices presented the sermon that was prepared on the previous day. Even with just an hour to prepare the homily, the novices succeeded in producing quality homilies. 

Three instructors evaluated the delivery of every homily to ensure the novices obtained adequate feedback. To conclude, Fr. Widiantoro conveyed a wish for all novices they expand their knowledge in communicative skills.

Contributor: P Yosephus Ispuroyanto Iswarahadi, S.J.