The Indonesian Jesuit Province celebrated the Final Vows of six Jesuit priests and one brother, and the jubilee of 20 Jesuits marking their 60, 50 and 25 years in the Society, and 50 and 25 years in the priesthood.
Brother Bambang Genturjati SJ and Fathers Eko Budi Santoso SJ, Agustinus Purwantoro SJ, Antonius Padua Danang Bramasti SJ, Dismas Tulolo SJ, Mutiara Andalas SJ and Seno Hari Prakoso SJ pronounced their Final Vows before Indonesian Jesuit Provincial Fr Sunu Hardiyanta SJ on October 31, feast of St Alphonsus Rodriguez, at St Stanislaus Kostka Church, Central Java, Indonesia.
Newly created Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, was the principal celebrant in the Mass, with Archbishop Emeritus Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja SJ, Archbishop of Semarang Msgr Robertus Rubiyatmoko, Fr Provincial Hardiyanta and Superior of Girisonta Community Fr Markus Yumartana SJ concelebrating.
The church was nearly filled with Jesuits, collaborators and relatives who came to share in the joy of the Province. Jesuit brothers from Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Cambodia who were in Indonesia for the Brothers’ Circle meeting also participated in the celebration. Australian Brother Ian Cribb delivered a brief speech at the end of the Mass.
One of the jubilarians was 84-year-old Cardinal Julius who marked his golden anniversary as a priest. In his homily, he invited all to learn three things. First, learn from St Alphonsus Rodriguez, who is a true example of humility manifested in his love for Christ’s Cross. Second, learn from Pope Francis, who said that in life we are all pilgrims, and as such we need to know and to do God’s will. The key to do this is spiritual discernment. Finally, to make a difference, we need to cross the line of our comfort zones. By the spirit of the Universal Apostolic Preferences, all of us are invited to understand the needs of God and the Church. The need for change has become a certainty, said Cardinal Julius, and if we do not adapt, we will perish.
Fr Surya Awangga SJ is a member of the Indonesian Province Communication team. He is doing special studies in Civil Law at Soegijapranata Catholic University. His interests include law, journalism and social communication.