Around 50 scholastics, brothers, and priests from 12 different provinces across the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific gathered at Kampoeng Media, Yogyakarta, from 19 to 28 December for the annual Scholastics and Brothers Circle (SBC) meeting.
Entitled “Digital Evangelization: Indonesian Church Experience”, the meeting blended seminars, sharing sessions, and recreation with cross-cultural interactions and historical-cultural immersions. Participants shared the many intriguing stories, challenges, and digital evangelization efforts in their respective provinces, regions, and mission areas. A deep desire to spread the Good News was palpable in each presentation.
Indonesian Provincial Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan SJ presided over the opening Mass before the input sessions began. Content creator and Catholic youth influencer Mateo Jubileo Singgih, founder of Majus Katolik, shared tips on reaching out to young people. Rappler news editor and journalist Paterno Esmaquel II presented a pastoral reflection on engagement with social media. General Manager of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Muhammad Syafi Alielha from Islami.co, shared from the perspective of a Muslim digital evangelizer. Social worker, family therapist, and counsellor, Julie Edwards touched on Ignatian Spirituality and social ministries in the Society of Jesus, and Fr Andreas Setyawan SJ led a theological reflection into the foundations of Ignatian Spirituality as a guide for using digital media as a tool for evangelization.
In between sessions, participants visited several significant landmarks in Yogyakarta. The first stop was Muntilan, considered the “Bethlehem of Java” and where the Catholic faith was first introduced. Participants had Mass at the Jesuit-run St Anthony Parish Church and visited the Muntilan Mission Museum. Both were part of the now-defunct Xavier College, a pioneering mission centre in Java. Xavier College was established in the early 20th century by several Dutch Jesuits—one of whom was Fr Van Lith SJ, who employed an educational approach for missions and erected a church, school, and teacher training centre in the Muntilan compound.
Sendangsono, a Marian shrine featuring a water spring and a small river, is known to be the site for some of the first baptisms administered by Fr Van Lith. Visiting Sedangsono, Oemah Petroek, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Ganjuran, and taking a tour of Mount Merapi, participants were also treated to a Ramayana ballet in Prambanan on the Legend of Roro Jonggrang—a renowned tale in Central Java.
However, the major highlight of the SBC gathering had to be the family immersion over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, where participants were assigned in groups of two or three to stay in the homes of Kanisius school teachers and scholars in the areas of Wonosari, Kulonprogo, and Bantul. Though part of the Archdiocese of Semarang, Kanisius School is entrusted to the Jesuits. There, participants immersed themselves for a day in the lives of the faithful.
Filipino Scholastic James Ryan Seneriches SJ considers this immersion a great gift of hospitality:
“Through this immersion, I have come to understand and experience more the notion of ‘inculturation’ and ‘evangelization’. During this brief visit over Christmas, my heart was stirred by the generous hospitality of my foster-Indonesian family and the vibrant Eastern culture. In Yogyakarta, the harmonious coexistence of indigenous heritage with influences from various religions and cultures is truly a sight to behold. As a Filipino (Westernised Asian), it was here that I realised how much I longed to experience the beauty of such healthy inculturation. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Yogyakarta, my foster Indonesian family, my fellow Jesuits who journeyed with me, and those who made this experience possible, and, above all, to God for this unexpected and undeserved gift.”
The closing Mass held on the Feast of St John the Evangelist was presided over by Arrupe International Residence Rector Fr Riyo Mursanto SJ. In a spirit of gratitude to God for all the graces given to us, Fr Riyo reminded participants of the attitude of a true disciple who evangelises others based on an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This was also the attitude that St Ignatius had when he shared the Spiritual Exercises with those he met and started the Society of Jesus—an attitude that participants were urged to also exemplify.
The SBC programme does not simply touch upon evangelization in modern times but seeks to continue to foster a true and enduring companionship of friends, brothers, and collaborators in the Lord. [Scholastic Bertrand Leong SJ]
Watch highlights of the 2023 SBC meeting: