Indonesia: SPM Sisters Mark 100 Years of Mission as Archbishop Urges Respect for Human Dignity

The Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary (SPM) celebrated 100 years of missionary presence in Indonesia with a thanksgiving gathering in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on October 16, as Archbishop Yustinus Harjosusanto urged missionaries to follow the Holy Spirit and uphold the dignity of every human person.

The celebration, held at GOR Segiri, an indoor sports arena in Samarinda, brought together religious sisters, Church leaders, students, and members of the congregation’s educational communities to commemorate its missionary journey from 1926 to 2026.

The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the division of the congregation’s Indonesian Province into the Samarinda and Probolinggo provinces and honored sisters celebrating 50, 40, and 25 years of consecrated life.

In his homily, Archbishop Yustinus of Samarinda said missionary life requires more than fulfilling assignments from religious superiors. Missionaries must allow the Holy Spirit to guide their service and remain ready to go wherever they are needed, he said.

He recalled the arrival of seven pioneering SPM sisters from Amersfoort, the Netherlands, in Probolinggo, East Java, on October 11, 1926, which marked the beginning of the congregation’s work in Indonesia.

Reflecting on a visit to Amersfoort the previous month, Archbishop Yustinus said the journey undertaken by the early missionaries illustrated the courage and sacrifice required for mission.

While missionaries today may worry about facilities and mobile phone signals, the pioneers traveled to a distant country without the technology and conveniences available today, he said.

Their example, he added, should inspire the sisters to renew their missionary commitment rather than simply commemorate the sacrifices of earlier generations.

Reflecting on the biblical readings, Archbishop Yustinus said the Holy Spirit who anointed Jesus to proclaim the Good News must also guide the Church’s missionary work today.

He emphasized that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, citing Genesis 1:26–27, and urged missionaries to demonstrate this belief through their treatment of others, particularly people who are poor, marginalized, and vulnerable.

Mission, he stressed, must extend beyond pastoral activities and institutional development to include concrete efforts to protect human dignity, promote justice, and strengthen solidarity.

The archbishop also called for wisdom in responding to technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI), warning that human beings must not become dominated by the technologies they create.

Instead, technology should serve humanity, while people remain attentive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in building a more humane society and protecting the earth for future generations.

During the gathering, the congregation’s General Leadership Council presented a certificate of blessing from Pope Leo XIV to the SPM Sisters of the Samarinda Province, commemorating the congregation’s centenary and the 10th anniversary of the provincial division.

Sr. Yulita Marie, SPM, representing the General Leadership Council, described the congregation’s century in Indonesia as a story of God’s goodness and love expressed through the sisters’ willingness to serve wherever they were sent.

The program also featured cultural performances by students from schools managed by the congregation in West Kutai, Samarinda, South Kalimantan, and Pamulang in South Tangerang. Students presented dances, songs, and musical performances celebrating the congregation’s missionary legacy.

The event included the presentation of a hymn commemorating 100 years of SPM’s mission in Indonesia and the launch of a mascot and jingle for the Mater Dei Foundation of Kalimantan. The winning jingle was composed by a team from Mater Dei Catholic Elementary School in Pamulang.

The congregation also honored Sr. Maria Elsa and Sister Maria Anita, who marked 50 years of consecrated life; Sr. Maria Victoria, who celebrated 40 years; and Sr. Maria Brigita and Sister Maria Teresiani, who marked 25 years.

During the fellowship gathering, Archbishop Yustinus thanked the sisters for their service in various dioceses and encouraged them to continue proclaiming the Gospel through education, pastoral ministry, and service to local communities.

The centenary celebration reaffirmed the congregation’s commitment to its missionary spirituality, expressed in the motto Tota Christi Per Mariam, and to serving the Church and society through faithfulness, unity, and respect for human dignity.