La Custodia oggiOrder Fratrum Minorum Conventualium (OFM Conv) in Indonesia
Foreword The present of The Order Fratrum Minorum Conventualium (OFMConv) in Indonesia is considered relative young. The mission was started in Bogor (West Java) in 1937 by our Conventual Franciscans from Netherlands. The mission was then continued by our Franciscans who came from Italy since 1968 in North Sumatra. From this writing, we want to discover the history of OFMConv journey in Indonesia archipelago. The Mission in West JavaOFMConv Franciscans from Netherlands began the mission in Bogor-West Java in 1937. At that time, Bogor was still included in region of Batavia’s Vicariate (Jakarta). Parish of Bogor was given by Serikat Jesuits (SJ) to our Order (OFMConv) in 1938. Those Franciscans established the new community at Jalan Kapten Muslihat, Bogor. They were Pastor H. T. Looymans OFMConv, Pastor H. Thomas Leenders OFMConv, Pastor L. Van De Bergh OFMConv, Pastor Hieronimus Van Vliet OFMConv, Pastor D. De Ridder OFMConv, Pastor A. Leuvisse OFMConv, and Pastor F. Adi Kourtins OFMConv. After diocese of Bogor was established well in 1961, Parish Church of Bogor (St. Maria Church) became a Cathedral. Aside from leading parishioners in Bogor, those missionaries also succeeded to encourage some Indonesian youths to join our order. Three young men finally were ordained to be the Priests and a young man became a religious friar (non cleric). They were Pastor Ludwig Adeodatus Laibahas OFMConv, Pastor Ignatius Nohmad Wignyoharsono OFMConv, Pastor Paulus Lie Ka Kwi OFMConv, and Frater Willybrodus Marinka OFMConv. All of them were sent to Italy to study Theology. Lack of energy because of the age and the wide of mission lands, moreover the present of OFMConv in Bogor, caused Province Netherlands decided to pull back their members from Indonesia. Finally they went back to Netherlands. Those missionaries were very advantageous for the church in Bogor’s diocese especially the Parish of Cathedral Bogor. Sent to be the pioneerAfter finishing his study in Rome-Italy, Ludwig Adeodatus Laibahas then was ordained to be a Priest on 17th February 1963 in Rome. He was the first Priest of Indonesian. Few days after his Priest ordination, Pastor Adeodatus Laibahas was then sent to Swiss to study misiologi. In 1967, he finished his study and got the degree of Licentiate of mission. Minister General OFMConv (P. Basilio Heiser, OFMConv) then sent him to continue the mission of our Order to Indonesia. With the great spirit, on February 4, 1967 Pastor Adeodatus arrived in his beloved country, Indonesia. The mission was not continued in Bogor-West Java diocese, but in Medan-North Sumatra Archdiocese as requested by Archbishop of Medan (Mgr. Ferrerius Van Den Hurk OFMCap). After visiting his family and relatives, then Pastor Adeodatus departed to missionary land in North Sumatra. Pastor Adeodatus Laibahas OFMConv arrived in Medan on April 7, 1967. After he met Medan Archbishop (Mgr. Ferrerius Van Den Hurk OFMCap), for the time being he was placed at Parish of Pangururan to learn Bataknese’s languages and cultures. Binjai-Langkat would be his missionary land. On April 16, 1967 he passed away on the ship accident that caused him sink in Lake Toba. Meanwhile, Pastor Ignatius Nohmad Wignyoharsono OFMConv also passed away on the traffic accident in Magelang-Jawa Tengah on November 27, 1970. This accident happened when he was in vacation to his hometown. The only Priest who was still alive Pastor Paulus Lie Ka Kwi OFMConv, Bogor’s citizen. Later on he has chosen the German nationality and he has been living and working in Germany. While Frater Willybrodus Marinka OFMConv left the Order and got married (now he lives in Jakarta). The mission in North SumatraAfter Pastor Adeodatus Laibahas passed away, for a while the mission in North Sumatra was stopped. However, because of the request of Medan Archbishop to the Minister General OFMConv, then one year later, the mission was continued by the coming of three Conventual Franciscans’ Priests from Italy as the missionaries. They were Pastor Giuseppe Brentazzoli OFMConv, Pastor Ferdinando Severi OFMConv, and Pastor Antonio Murru OFMConv. They arrived in Medan on 6th April 1968. Pastor Giuseppe Brentazzoli and Pastor Ferdinando Severi came from Province Bologna, while Pastor Antonio Murru came from Province Sardegna. After getting Indonesian and tribe languages course in Parapat and Pematangsiantar, then those three missionaries were sent by Medan Archbishop to Delitua. Delitua was the fertile land to spread the Gospel. The high spirit and sincere services from those three missionaries finally attracted the people to embrace the Catholic. After Delitua became a Parish in 1970, gradually the Italian missionaries from Province Sardegna, Puglia, Toscana, and Bologna had been coming. In 1975 the region of Delitua Parish was separated become two new Parishes, they were Parish of Bandar Baru and Parish of Padang Bulan in Medan. The Italian missionaries who came to spread the Gospel and work in Indonesia since 1970 till 1985 were Pastor Antonio Carigi OFMConv, Pastor Carmelo Comina OFMConv, Pastor Umberto Davoli OFMConv, Pastor Constantino Lamparelli OFMConv, Pastor Antonio Razzoli OFMConv, Pastor Salvatore Sabato OFMConv, Pastor Corrado Casadei OFMConv, Pastor Tarcisio Centis OFMConv, Pastor Gilberto Casadei OFMConv, and also Pastor Fabrizio Bonelli OFMConv. Now some of them have returned to Italy, two of them passed away in Indonesia, while the rest have been working in Indonesia. Seventh of those missionaries have chosen Indonesian nationality. All of them are very advantageous for Indonesian churches. They have given their thought, energy, donation, and attention to spread the God’s Word in this beloved country. They have also sown the vocation spirit for Indonesian youths and established OFMConv fraternity in Indonesia. Their works would be remembered by our young friars who are the sons of this country. The native vocationBeing impressed by the services of those missionaries, some of Indonesian youths were attracted to be Priest. Therefore, they were formed in the Junior Seminary - Pematangsiantar and Junior Seminary - Mertoyudan. After graduating from seminary, they were sent to OFM Noviciate (Yogyakarta). They got the Philosophy Study from STF Driyarkara-Jakarta and Theology Study from FTW Kentungan-Yogyakarta. In Jakarta, those candidates lived in OFM monastery (in Kramat Raya and Rawasari). In Yogyakarta they lived in OFM monastery (in Papringan) and in Senior Seminary of Santo Paulus (in Kentungan). However, the increasing of candidates in amount encouraged the missionaries to form their own candidates, and no longer depend to another order. Therefore, in 1985 they established Junior Seminary in Delitua, Postulate house in Bandar Baru, Noviciate house and Senior Seminary/Scholastic in Pematangsiantar. Those clerics studied Philosophy and Theology in STFT (Sekolah Tinggi Filsafat dan Teologi) St. Yohanes in Pematangsiantar – the Catholic University of St. Thomas in North Sumatra.
OFMConv’s worksOur Franciscans have been working in three dioceses; those are Medan Archdiocese, Jakarta Archdiocese and Atambua diocese. In Medan Archdiocese, OFMConv works in Parish of Delitua, Parish of Bandar Baru, Parish of Padang Bulan- Medan, and Parish of Banda Aceh. In Jakarta Archdiocese, OFMConv works in Parish of Sunter in North Jakarta. In Atambua diocese, our fraternity works either in Parish or in the schools and dormitory. Aside from doing pastoral works in some Parishes in Medan Archdiocese, OFMConv also managed Catholic Schools Institution at Deli Serdang regency that covered 26 schools (Kindergarten, Primary, Junior and Senior High School). But now, the Institution has been given to Medan Archdiocese and merged into 4 school institutions belong to Medan Archdiocese. Later on, OFMConv established a new charity institution named ‘Yayasan Betlehem’ which was the centre in Bandar Baru that manage the schools (Junior and Senior High School) , orphanage and boy’s dormitory. To fulfil catechisms/Catholic Religious Teachers and pastoral workers, OFMConv established PGAK (Catholic Religious Teachers School) in Delitua. Some years later, the PGAK changed the status became IPI (Institut Pastoral Indonesia/Indonesian Pastoral Institution) of St. Maximilianus Kolbe Delitua. The IPI Delitua Filial Malang held the Bachelor’s Degree Program (Diploma-3 A.Md.). As the owner of IPI, Medan Archdiocese asked OFMConv to run this institution. Now, OFMConv together with Medan Archdiocese and Religious Department for Catholic in North Sumatra developed IPI become Sekolah Tinggi Pastoral (STP). Thus, since 2006 have been established STP (Sekolah Tinggi Pastoral) St. Bonaventura in Delitua, moreover this institution held Scholar’s Degree program (S-1). Since 2006/2007 period, STP St. Bonaventura in Delitua accepted students to be taught become catechists/pastoral workers/Catholic Religious Teachers with degree “Catholic Religious Teacher Scholar” (S.Ag.). But this institution also still finishes the Diploma program until the end of period 2008/2009. Aside from regular class, STP St. Bonaventura Delitua also held the program study for special class (KKK) which spread in or out of North Sumatra. Now this program is held in Delitua, Pematangsiantar, Kabanjahe, Siborong- Borong, Sibolga, and Jakarta. Since the first year of IPI, Pastor Salvatore Sabato OFMConv has been trusted to run this institution, and later on some of our friars and Priests also take turn. And then, Pastor Salvatore Sabato OFMConv has been chosen as the Rector of STP till now. In social works, our order has also succeeded to help the people life in here. There are some charity works that have been done well, such as built orphanage, policlinic, poor villages, rehabilitation house for lepers, house for the handicapped, reservoir, Cooperative society (CU/Credit Union), and give donation for the poor people. Those charity works have been done well in cooperation with other departments either government or privates. But, Conventual’s Franciscans in Indonesia has tried to support and monitor those works in the future to keep it eternal. In religious section, our Franciscans led the religious retreat, counselling for the religious men, training for the parishioners, and develop the devotions to the holy Saints, such as: devotion to the Virgin Mary by Militia Immaculate (MI) prayer activity; Rosary of Franciscan ( Franciscan Crown); devotion to St. Francis of Assisi; and devotion to St. Anthony of Padua. In our works, we always keep a good relationship with all Franciscans from another orders and congregations, diocese, and also layman. With those works, our order wants to share the God’s Bless for all people in this world by following the guidance and spirit of our Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi. The native friars After some formation houses of Conventual were built in 1985, our missionaries from Italy realized that their mission later on would be continued by our native Franciscans, the sons of Indonesia. Thus, they tried to sow the vocation to the Indonesian youth. The missionaries began to promote our order by doing some activities to attract those youths to join our order, OFMConv. The efforts of our missionaries finally obtained the sweet fruits when some native friars professed their definitely vow and then were ordained to be the Priest. The first Priest of Indonesian was Pastor Fransiskus Mardan Ginting OFMConv, who was ordained by Mgr. A. G. Pius Datubara OFMCap (Medan Archbishop) 1988 in Delitua. In 1989 there were also ordained in Delitua the three of our brothers, they were Pastor John Paul Yustinus Sutiman Tarigan OFMConv, Pastor Simson Egideus Sitepu OFMConv, and Pastor Antonius Thomas Saragih OFMConv. Later, in 1994 Pastor Laurentius Yustinus Sihaloho OFMConv was ordained to be a Priest in Bandar Baru. In 1996, Pastor Maximilianus Kalef Sembiring OFMConv was also ordained in Delitua. In 1997, Pastor Joseph Lesta Sembiring Pandia OFMConv was ordained in Padang Bulan Medan. In 1999, Pastor Florentinus Nongo Sembiring OFMConv and Pastor Jakobus Ginting OFMConv were ordained in Delitua. All of them were ordained by Bishop Pius Datubara OFMCap. But one of our brothers, Pastor Fransiskus Rencana Sinulingga OFMConv was ordained in Manila-Philippine. In 2000, two of our brothers, Pastor Simon Kemit OFMConv and Pastor Petrus Claver Antonius Subang Hayong OFMConv were ordained by Bishop Pius Datubara OFMCap in Bandar Baru. In 2002, Pastor Lukas Genesius Nurak OFMConv, Pastor Bernardo Teddy Christanto OFMConv, Pastor Andreas Elpian Gurusinga OFMConv, and Pastor Marselinus Salem Damanik OFMConv were also ordained by Bishop Pius Datubara OFMCap in Delitua. One year later, in 2003 in Delitua, Bishop Pius Datubara also ordained 4 of our brothers, they were Pastor Titus Khian OFMConv, Pastor Paskalis Pedoritman Surbakti OFMConv, Pastor Thomas Natalisa Tarigan OFMConv, and Pastor Mario Benediktus Lumban Gaol OFMConv. In 2004 Bishop Pius Datubara OFMCap ordained 3 Priests. Those three Priests were Pastor Sebastianus Tawar Antoni Ginting OFMConv, Pastor Justianus Bayu Aprianto OFMConv, and Pastor Gervatius Gindo Saragih OFMConv. In 2005 Bishop Anicetus Bongsu Sinaga OFMCap (coadjutor bishop in Medan Archdiocese) ordained 4 of our brothers in Delitua. They were Pastor Fransiskus Radiaman Purba OFMConv, Pastor Antonius Siswido Swy OFMConv, Pastor Andreas Budianto OFMConv and Pastor Cornelius Adi Parditya OFMConv. In 2006, five of our brothers were ordained by Bishop Pius Datubara OFMCap. They were Pastor Yakub Janami Barus OFMConv, Pastor Yohanes Puji Ismanto OFMConv, Pastor Eligeus Benny Bernadi OFMConv, Pastor Eduardus Yohanes Padiyana OFMConv, and Pastor Yoseph Ariwibowo Djaka OFMConv. And the last, in 2008 two of our brothers were ordained in Bandar Baru, they were Pastor Yulius Antonius Yulianto OFMConv and Pastor David Barus OFMConv. Aside from clerics, we have also some brothers who have chosen to be religious friars (non cleric). They were Frater Salmon Barus OFMConv, Frater Yunus Sardju OFMConv, Frater Darwin Sinaga OFMConv, Frater Hermanus Tugas Ferdinando Ginting OFMConv, Frater Robertus Eko Ery Wibowo OFMConv, Frater Norbertus Lasdriantoro OFMConv, and Frater Nicolas Sukana OFMConv. OfmConv Franciscans have been working in Indonesia as Parish Priests, teachers, lecturers, catechist, Rector, trainer for the parishioners, leader in orphanage and dormitory, Formators for young friars, environment care taker, guide in social and religious activities. Some of our brothers are studying in Philippine and Italy. All of them are the fruits of Conventual Franciscan Custody Province “Maria Immaculate” mission in Indonesia. Those fruits were the result of Italian missionaries’ efforts in this country. Nowadays, OFMConv Indonesia consists of 4 Italian Priests, 31 native Priests, some of friars who have definitely vow and a big amount of friars who have non-definitely vow. Those young friars are clerics (Priest to be) and religious friars (non cleric). The data recapitulation of OFMConv till August 2008 from custody secretariat of Province ‘Maria Immaculate’ Indonesia obtained the data as follows
The Custos Provincial OFMConv of Custody Province ‘Maria Tak Bernoda Indonesia’ (Maria Immaculate Indonesia) lives in monastery St.Joseph Delitua, Medan - North Sumatra (the centre of custody). The Custos Provincial OFMConv Indonesia period 2005 – 2009 was Pastor Fransiskus Mardan Ginting OFMConv. But on last November 2006 he resigned from his position. Therefore, the Vicars of custody (Pastor Joseph Lesta Sembiring Pandia OFMConv) has been chosen by Minister Provincial to replace the custos position till 2009.
The monasteries / communitiesThe Custody Province’ Maria Immaculate’ Indonesia has built six monasteries since 1968. Four of those monasteries are located in Sumatra Island (North Sumatra Province). A monastery was built in Java Island (in Jakarta) and the last one is located in Timor Island (Kefamenanu). The first monastery which was built is monastery of St. Joseph located in Delitua. This monastery was built in 1970 and became the witness of the history of our Italian missionaries’ works in Indonesia. That old monastery now has been renovated and built become the second floor building. This monastery is the centre of Custody Province OFMConv Indonesia and also as the office of Conventual in Indonesia. The monastery in Bandar Baru was built in 1975 and named ‘The Saviour Monastery -Bandar Baru’ (Biara Sang Penebus Bandar Baru). This monastery was placed in the mountain area and located in the edge of Medan - Berastagi main road. The building now is relative new because the old monastery that was built in 1975 has been broken. In this monastery also we formed our postulates I. The monastery followed Italian architecture style and was built in tourism area. In Medan, OFMConv also has a monastery, named St. Francis of Assisi Monastery. The building of the monastery which is located in Padang Bulan belongs to Medan Archdiocese. In Pematangsiantar, monastery of St. Bonaventura was built as the Formation house for our young generation. This monastery was placed in Sinaksak which is located between Franciscan Capusin monastery and Diocesan seminary. Therefore, our young friars who are studying in campus STFT St.Yohanes live in this monastery. In the past, this monastery was functioned as Noviciate house and Formation house for young friars (Senior Seminary/Scholastic). But now, only clerics who are studying in campus STFT live there because our novices had been transferred to Tiga Juhar. The transfer of those Novices given birth a new monastery in Tiga Juhar, St. Catherine monastery. This monastery is located in Tiga Juhar village, around 30 kilometres from Delitua. In this monastery our novices being formed for one year. And since 2006 in this monastery also was held the studying for our Postulate II. Then in 1989 our Custody in Indonesia opened the new mission in Java. The region that has been chosen was Jakarta. Jakarta Archbishop (Mgr. Leo Soekoto SJ) has trusted Parish of St. Lukas in Sunter to our Order. In this Indonesia capital city, OFMConv also owned a monastery that is St. Lukas monastery. The building of this monastery belongs to Jakarta Archdiocese. Before the monastery of St. Lukas was built, our brothers lived in a small house, called ‘Rivo Torto House’ (Rumah Rivo Torto). But now that house is used as a guest house if sometimes needed. In the future we have planned to renovate that house for better living of our brothers. On the request of Medan Archbishop (Mgr. Pius Datubara OFMCap), in 1991 OFMConv opened the mission in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. In this place where the most population are Muslim, OFMConv managed Parish of Banda Aceh. Pastor Ferdinando Severi OFMConv led this parish till 2008 and spread Franciscan Conventual charisma there. But in 2008 the mission was stopped in Banda Aceh. In August 2008, the parish of Banda Aceh was returned to Medan Archdiocese. After Capitolo 2001, OFMConv enlarged its wings from the West to the East of Indonesia. In Atambua diocese, Timor Island-Nusa Tenggara Timur, Atambua bishop (Mgr. Anton Pain Ratu SVD) trusted us to stay and work in Sasi Kefamenanu and run the new parish there that is Parish of St. Anthony of Padua. One year later, our order also built a new monastery there that has been given the same name with the parish, St. Anthony of Padua monastery. Aside from running the parish, our brothers also run the dormitory for boys and girls, Senior and Junior High School. In 2004 OFMConv bought a land around 30 hectare in Marjandi Tonga village to be used as the animals farm. However, because of the situation, for the time being the land hasn’t been used yet. After the Capitolo 2005, OFMConv pioneered the mission in Manado diocese. The bishop of Manado (Mgr. Yosef Suwatan MSC) has trusted us to work in Palu-Sulawesi Tengah. Our Franciscans lived in Tamadue Napu village. In this area, our brothers worked in farms and animal farm while spreading the spirit and charisma of Franciscan Conventual. Our house there was called “Eremo OFMConv St. Anthony of Padua”. We also built a retreat house and assisted the pastoral works in Tamadue, the Parish of St. Paulus Palu. In 2007 OFMConv bought 7, 5 hectare land in Betala Biru Biru, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. This land was full of rubber trees, betel nut trees, and fish ponds. We then built our small house made of wood there, called “Pondok Santo Fransiskus Assisi Pencinta Alam Semesta” (The wood house of St.Francis of Assisi – the lover of universe). The wood house has been used as the rest house, meeting place, and retreat place for a small amount or private meditation. This location was meant for natural spiritual oasis. Finally on 5th May 2008 Minister Provincial (P. Antonio Renzini, OFMConv) blessed and declared officially the place as the natural spiritual oasis.
The Formation HousesThe increasing of the new candidates who wanted to join our Order encouraged our custody to run the formation for our young friars better. The Junior Seminary of St. Francis Assisi at Delitua was admired and visited by the youths who are still studying in Senior High School. Postulate I and II were previous located at Bandar Baru but now were separated. Postulate I is still at Bandar Baru, while Postulate II at Delitua, but then in 2006 was moved to Tiga Juhar. The Noviciate which was firstly located at Pematangsiantar then was moved also to Tiga Juhar in St.Catherine Monastery. The Noviciate was named OFMConv Noviciate of St. Anthony of Padua. The Senior Seminary (Scholastic) of St. Bonaventura which is in St. Bonaventura Monastery has become the longest Formation House for our young friars (clerics) who have been studying in campus STFT St. Yohanes in Siantar. The Senior Seminary / Scholastic OFMConv of St. Bonaventura has been the partner of campus STFT (Sekolah Tinggi Filsafat Teologi) of St. Yohanes where our clerics study Philosophy and Theology. From the status of mission became Custody Province, planned to be the independent Province
In 1985, the Definitorium General OFMConv in Rome developed the status of mission OFMConv Indonesia became a Custody Province. This custody was established with name ‘Kustodia Provinsi Maria Tak Bernoda Indonesia’ (Custody of Province Maria Immaculate Indonesia) which is a part of Province Bologna-Italia. The centre of custody and monastery is located at Delitua. The superior of custody province is called Custos Provincial. Pastor Tarcisio Centis OFMConv was elected as the first custos provincial and the next two periods was also chosen to lead the custody of province Indonesia. Later on, Pastor Antonio Murru OFMConv was chosen as the custos provincial for three periods. On the Capitolo 2005, Pastor Fransiskus Mardan Ginting OFMConv who is the first Priest of Indonesian son was elected to be the Custos provincial. He run his duty until 2006, but later on, Pastor Joseph Lesta Sembiring Pandia OFMConv replaced his position will be until 2009.
The history
Since 1968 OFMConv have started the mission in Indonesia archipelago, thus in 1993 our Order here celebrated 25 years anniversary of our mission in North Sumatra. The feast was celebrated in the centre of custody at Delitua and was attended by thousands of Catholic faithful from parishes of OFMConv leadership (Delitua, Padang Bulan- Medan, Bandar Baru, Banda Aceh, Sunter Jakarta), Medan Archbishop (Mgr. Pius Datubara OFMCap), the Vatican ambassador for Indonesia (Mgr. Pietro Sambi Pr), Minister General OFMConv (P. Lanfranco Serrini OFMConv), Minister Provincial OFMConv Province Bologna-Italia (P. Antonio Zanotti OFMConv), Custos Provincial OFMConv Indonesia (P. Antonio Murru OFMConv), the minister provincial of OFMConv from some countries, the Priests, Friars and Sisters from different orders and congregations, and also the government officers. Now, in 2008 OFMConv has been 71 years in its present in Indonesia (counted the mission of OFMConv from Netherlands in 1938) and 40 years the mission of OFMConv from Italy in North Sumatra (since 1937), and also 23 years of Custody province ‘Maria Tak Bernoda Indonesia’ (since 1985). The kindness of Province Bologna for our Custody in Indonesia will never be forgotten. The works of missionaries OFMConv from Netherlands and Italy will be in our memory forever and our Custody of Province Indonesia should thank to God.
The end The life of OFMConv mission and history in Indonesia is being run by the Indonesian sons together with 4 Priests from Italy. Now, our young generation has been given task to root our Order, OFMConv in Indonesia. The future of OFMConv is put on the shoulders of our native Franciscans here to continue the mission now and later, and to spread the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. May God bless the mission of OFMConv in Indonesia. Pax Et Bonum.
Reported by: P. Titus Khian, OFMConv (The General Secretary of OFMConv Indonesia)
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