31 July is a special day for Jesuits and their mission partners as it is the feast of the saint who founded the Society of Jesus. For the Indonesian Jesuits, the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola and the closing of the Ignatian Year was marked with a solemn Mass attended by friends and companions.
The ceremony was held at the Parish of Saints Peter and Paul in Mangga Besar, Jakarta presided over by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Jakarta Fr Samuel Pangestu and concelebrated by Indonesian Provincial Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan SJ, Fr Agustinus Purwantoro SJ, Fr Paulus Hastra Kurdani SJ, and Fr Yohanes Harry Kristanto SJ.
Present in the celebration were the alumni of Jesuit colleges, donors, and various groups who promote Ignatian spirituality, such as Magis, Schooled by the Spirit (SBS) Christian Life Community (CLC), and The Spiritual Exercise for Beginners (LRP).
Everyone was delighted since this was their first in-person gathering after years of pandemic. Their enthusiasm showed how the life of St Ignatius and his Spiritual Exercises still impact peoples’ relationship with God today. The cannonball that hit Ignatius’ legs five centuries ago was a divine intervention that continues to be a source of blessing to those who journey on the Ignatian path.
The celebration also demonstrated the importance of collaboration as emphasised by Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ. The Jesuits in their mission of helping souls (ayudar a las almas) have been strongly supported and encouraged by collaborators and friends. This is especially true in the Indonesian Province.
On the occasion, Fr Agustinus Setyodarmono SJ shared his experience in accompanying lay people studying Ignatian Spirituality. He shared how walking with people who have been transformed by Ignatian Spirituality fills him with much excitement. In fact, Fr Nano, as he is called, is editing a compilation of reflections and testimonies of Ignatian Spirituality enthusiasts under his direction into a book entitled Jejak (The Footsteps). He hopes that readers will find in its pages God’s mercy and compassion, especially during their darkest moments.
Meifung, who spoke on behalf of the partners in mission, shared her experience of living out Ignatian Spirituality. As a lay person, her encounter with God through the Spiritual Exercises motivates her to devote herself to the SBS community to share her blessings to many.
St Ignatius taught us to do our utmost in bringing our desire to fruition, Meifung shared, but on the other side, we must also surrender and put everything in God’s hands. She explained that it is about living the tension between action and contemplation amidst life’s challenges. For Meifung, the closing of the Ignatian Year is not the end. “It is the beginning of a new period,” she said, “a new spring that can bring joy to those who need it.” [Alexius Aji and Engelbertus Viktor Daki]