“With the acceptance of this relic, we hope that the Parish of Saint Ignatius of Loyola will be further enriched with the spirit of Ignatius. The presence of this relic is not only a symbol but also a reminder of the call to live a holy life, to serve with boundless love, and to embody the ‘Magis’ spirit of giving the best for God and others. May all the parishioners be inspired by the example of Saint Ignatius of Loyola to continue growing in faith, hope, and love. The spirit of ‘Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam,’ for the greater glory of God, may it be a guiding principle in every work and prayer. We believe that by honoring and through the intercession of Saint Ignatius, this parish will be increasingly empowered to live in the light of the Gospel.”
That message of hope became the closing of the letter of the handover of the relic of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, read by Father Benedictus Hari Juliawan, S.J., during the Eucharistic celebration at the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Semplak – Bogor, on Saturday, January 25, 2025. After reading the letter, the relic in the form of a piece of Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s robe was enshrined on the altar, accompanied by the song Amare et Servire (To Love and Serve).
The parishioners of Semplak not only rejoiced at the blessing of the relics but also expressed gratitude for the blessing and inauguration of the Saint Paul Pastoral Center. Not only that, the congregation also rejoiced on the 61st birthday of Rev. Fr. Antonius Dwi Haryanto (Father Anton), who has been the Parish Priest of Semplak Parish since 2017. The joy was celebrated in the Eucharist, co-celebrated by Mgr. Paskalis Bruno Syukur, OFM (Bishop of the Bogor Suffragan Diocese), Mgr. Christophorus Tri Harsono (Bishop of the Purwokerto Suffragan Diocese), RD. Kol (Sus.) Yoseph Maria Marcelinus Bintoro (Deputy Bishop for Catholics in the TNI and POLRI), Father Benedictus Hari Juliawan, S.J. (Provincial Indonesian Province of Society of Jesus), RD. Antonius Dwi Haryanto (Current Pastor of Semplak Parish), and RD. Ridwan Amo (First Pastor of Semplak Parish).
Mgr. Paskalis reflects on the conversion of Saint Paul in his homily. God has taken the initiative to call humans to work with Him. He took action to convert Saul, someone who was fervently destroying the followers of Jesus. God transformed him into a great missionary who preached Jesus wherever he went. Mgr. Paskalis also took the example of Mgr. Tri Harsono was born from the womb of the Semplak parish in a family of the Air Force’s Special Forces Command. Mgr. Tri was chosen by God to work in proclaiming the name of God by becoming the bishop of Purwokerto. Mgr. Paskalis invites the Semplak congregation, who chose St. Ignatius of Loyola as their patron, to follow Christ in the way of St. Ignatius, who had total obedience to the Catholic Church in any circumstance.
In his welcoming speech, Father Anton thanked all parties from the Bogor Diocese, the Air Force Base, and the faithful involved in the dynamic journey of this parish’s development. “All this joy happens because of God’s extraordinary grace and love.”
Father Anton specifically thanked Father Benny and Father Windar from the Provincial House of the Indonesian Province of Society of Jesus for the gift of the relics given to the parishioners of Semplak. This is inseparable from the people who love Saint Ignatius, especially the couple Antonius Imam Toni and Retno, who have long sought this relic and successfully obtained it from the Provincial Office of the Society of Jesus.
A Glimpse of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Semplak—Bogor
Parish Semplak is part of the Bogor Suffragan Diocese, which has unique characteristics. Located in the Atang Sendjaja Air Force Base area, this parish is considered a young parish because it was only established on August 1, 2015, after previously being part of the service work of the Bogor Cathedral Parish. The Semplak Catholic community began to organize in 1964. Then, in 1977, the Catholic and Protestant communities received the ecumenical church facilities from the commander of the Air Force Base. The Catholic community then used the church building as St. Peter’s Chapel, becoming the Sola Gratia Church for the Protestant community. Although it stands on land owned by the Indonesian Air Force, the Catholic community in Semplak is composed of members from the Air Force category and includes non-military residents living outside the Air Force Base complex.
The increase in the number of parishioners in the St. Petrus Semplak area is very encouraging. In 2005, the area management proposed the construction of a Catholic church to the Air Base Commander, which was approved by the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force. September 8, 2006, is a historic day because the Semplak area was elevated to the status of a station. On that day, the new church was blessed by Mgr. Michael Cosmas Angkur, O.F.M., was inaugurated by the commander of the Atang Sendjaja airbase, Air Commodore Ignatius Basuki, whose baptismal name inspired the naming of the Semplak parish.
Quoting Father Benny’s speech, Ignatius of Loyola is a very fitting name for this parish located in a military environment. Saint Ignatius was initially a soldier with extraordinary ambitions. However, after his dreams were shattered by a mortar shell during the battle in Pamplona, his grand ambitions were surrendered to what God desired. “Whatever I do is for the greater glory of God.“
The congregation’s growth is accompanied by the need for buildings to facilitate its activities. Building a rectory that can accommodate more than one pastor is also deemed necessary. Therefore, since 2019, a committee for the construction of pastoral facilities has been formed. However, the building could only be completed starting in January 2024 after receiving permission from the TNI AU Base. The long wait of the Semplak parishioners ended beautifully with the blessing and inauguration of the pastoral building on the feast of the conversion of Saint Paul on January 25, 2025.
May the presence of the Saint Ignatius of Loyola relic and the inauguration of the Saint Paul pastoral building further enhance the spiritual fervor and strengthen the faith of the Semplak parish community.
Contributor: Ignatia Marina
