Indonesia: Holy Cross Priests Open Centennial Year with Mass in Bandung

The Indonesian Province of the Order of the Holy Cross (OSC), known as the Province of Christ the Savior, formally opened its centennial year on February 15 with a Eucharistic celebration at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Bandung, West Java.

The Mass marked the beginning of a year-long series of programs commemorating 100 years since the Dutch Crosiers first began missionary work in Indonesia in 1927.

The celebration was presided over by Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung, himself a member of the OSC. Concelebrants included Provincial Superior Fr. Basilius Hendra Kimawan, OSC, and Fr. Wahyu Pr., Vicar General of the Bandung Diocese. Religious men and women, clergy, and lay faithful from across the diocese attended the liturgy.

In his remarks, Fr. Kimawan said the centennial year invites members to reflect on the congregation’s history while renewing commitment to its mission. He noted that the Order’s presence in Indonesia has developed through parish ministry, education, formation houses, and specialized apostolates.

Mission Began in 1927

The OSC mission in Indonesia began on February 9, 1927, when three Dutch missionaries, Fr. Marinus Nilessen (30), Fr. Yohannes de Rooy (35), and Fr. Jacobus Hubertus Gomans (43) arrived in what was then the Dutch East Indies. Fr. Gomans led the mission.

Bandung became the center of OSC activity and remains the headquarters of the Indonesian Province. Today, the Order serves in the Diocese of Bandung (West Java), the Archdiocese of Jakarta, the Diocese of Sibolga in Nias Island (North Sumatra), the Archdiocese of Medan (North Sumatra), and the Diocese of Agats-Asmat in Papua.

In 1977, the Indonesian mission was established as an independent province under the name Sang Kristus (Christ the Savior).

Education and Specialized Ministries

In addition to parish work, the OSC is engaged in higher education and pastoral ministry for university students, including at Universitas Katolik Parahyangan in Bandung. The province also operates the Pratista Retreat House in Cisarua, West Bandung, and manages ILSKI (Institut Liturgi Sang Kristus Indonesia), which provides liturgical formation programs for clergy and laypeople.

Centennial Programs and Publication

As part of the centennial observance, the province announced the publication of a revised three-volume history of the Dutch OSC mission in Indonesia. The original research was written by Belgian Crosier Father Roger Janssen. The Indonesian edition has been prepared by Mathias Hariyadi under the title Menjadi Provinsi Sang Kristus: 1927–1975 – Misi Jawa (“Becoming the Christ the Savior Province: 1927–1975 – Mission to Java”).

Historical Background

The Order of the Holy Cross traces its origins to 1210 in Europe, founded under the leadership of Theodorus de Celles near present-day Liège, Belgium. The congregation was formally approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1248.

Initially established as canons regular committed to community life and the Liturgy of the Hours, the Order later expanded its ministry to include pastoral, educational, and missionary work. By the 20th century, it had established missions in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Brazil, the Congo, and Indonesia.

With the opening Mass in Bandung, the Indonesian Province begins a year of reflection and public events leading up to the centenary of the missionaries’ arrival in 1927.