Indonesia: Semarang Religious Mark Jubilee Year Closing with Prayer and Renewal at Marian Shrine

Religious men and women from across the Archdiocese of Semarang gathered at the Marian Shrine of Gua Maria Kerep Ambarawa, central Java, Indonesia for the closing celebration of the Jubilee Year, organized by IKHRAR MUPERKAS, the association of religious congregations under the Archdiocese’s Council of Religious Leaders.

The gathering brought together priests, brothers, and sisters from various congregations for a day of prayer, reflection, and fraternity at one of Central Java’s most significant pilgrimage sites. The Jubilee celebration offered participants an opportunity to step back from daily pastoral and catechetical responsibilities and renew their commitment to religious life and service.

The program opened with a concelebrated Eucharistic celebration led by Father FX Sugiyana, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Semarang. He was joined by the Provincials of the Society of Jesus and the Missionaries of the Holy Family (MSF), along with other clergy serving in the Archdiocese.

In his homily and subsequent sharing session, Father Sugiyana emphasized that the Jubilee Year is a time of spiritual renewal and deeper conversion. “The Jubilee Year invites us to return to a pure heart, to God’s mercy, and to our mission as a Church present for others,” he said.

He also outlined the Archdiocese of Semarang’s pastoral priorities for 2026, which will focus on fostering a joyful Church, an inspiring Church, and a Church that promotes human flourishing. According to him, inner renewal among Church ministers is essential if the Church is to bring hope, joy, and well-being to society amid contemporary social and pastoral challenges.

Participants engaged in a dialogical sharing session, exchanging experiences and insights on pastoral ministry and catechetical service. Many highlighted the significance of celebrating the Jubilee Year at the Kerep Marian Shrine, a site closely linked to the spiritual history of the local Church and long regarded as a place of prayer and discernment.

Br. Flavianus MTB described the Jubilee gathering as a moment of grace that strengthened his vocation. “We are reminded that true happiness is born when we entrust ourselves fully to God’s faithful love,” he said, adding that the encounter reinforced a sense of shared journey and fraternity among religious communities.

Sr. Fransiska ADM echoed this sentiment, noting that the Jubilee celebration renewed her sense of hope and mission. “The call to be joyful, inspiring, and to uphold human dignity is not a slogan, but a daily responsibility for religious men and women,” she said. “This gathering renewed our zeal and sent us forth with a renewed spirit.”

The Jubilee celebration concluded with prayers of thanksgiving and a renewed commitment to pastoral and catechetical service. Participants returned to their respective communities carrying a strengthened sense of fraternity and a renewed dedication to their mission as witnesses of faith and hope in today’s world.