On September 25, 2024, the SCJ Province of Indonesia held a celebration of the 100th anniversary of SCJ's presence in Indonesia and its 50th anniversary as a Province. It was also a celebration of four priestly and one diaconate ordination.
Centennial Celebration
Six bishops from dioceses where SCJ serves in Indonesia were in attendance at the celebration of the centenary of SCJ’s presence in Indonesia. Also present were invited guests from other entities with which SCJ Indonesia has collaborated in its mission (USA, Canada, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and ICA). Additionally, missionaries returned for the celebration. Representatives from all parishes in the Archdiocese of Palembang and other parishes where SCJ serves were also present.
This celebration was actually part of a series of events that began a year and a half ago, starting with the Dehon Day celebration in 2023. The symbol used to mark the 100-year presence of SCJ in Indonesia is a cross with a statue of Jesus offering His heart to humanity. This cross has been brought to various parishes and communities where SCJ has worked.
During the celebration, fr. Carlos Luis Suarez, the SCJ Superior General, reminded everyone of Father Dehon’s dream of a Dehonian presence in Indonesia. Fourteen years after Father Dehon’s visit to Indonesia, this dream began to be realized by the SCJ Province of the Netherlands. Fr. Carlos also touched upon the martyrdom of the Dehonians who died during the Japanese internment in 1944, emphasizing that their deaths symbolized the complete self-giving as seeds for the growth of faith in Indonesia. From these seeds, the faith has spread to Asia.
Priestly and diconal ordination
As part of the centenary celebrations, a number of confreres received the sacrament of Holy Orders. Those ordained as priests were Deacon Yohanes Ferry Ariyanto SCJ, Deacon Paulus Yosse Pratama SCJ, Deacon Fransiskus Edi Setiawan SCJ, and Deacon Yuvens Kristia Efrata SCJ. Meanwhile, Brother Cornelius Maruli Windyan Raswata SCJ was ordained as a deacon.
Christ’s Request
In his homily, Bishop Yohanes reminded everyone of Jesus Christ’s request for His successors, the priests, to celebrate the Eucharist in order to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that Christ had established.
In the words spoken by sinners, God is not ashamed to meet His people. Priests, in their exalted dignity, are placed to represent God, even though they exist in conditions of limitation and sinfulness. This is where it becomes clear how Christ desires to continue loving humanity by embracing human frailty.
“I Am Present”
At the close of the event, the Superior General, Father Carlos Luiz Suarez, shared two important words often proclaimed during ordination ceremonies: when there is hurt, someone cries, someone searches, there is poverty, or someone is in need, remember: “I Am Present” — to be the mouth, hands, feet, and heart for others.
The celebration of this centenary truly became a Sint unum moment, where Dehonians from different parts of the world and the local faithful gathered in unity because of the Heart of Jesus.
