From Netherlands to Indonesia: The Missionary Journey of Fr. Leo van Beurden, OSC
Fifty-five years ago, a young Dutch Crosier (OSC) priest stepped off a plane in Jakarta, clutching his travel bag and a heart full of missionary zeal. The humid air, the buzz of motorbikes, and the rhythm of a new world welcomed him to what would become the greatest adventure of his life.
That priest was Fr. Leo van Beurden, OSC, now one of the longest-serving missionaries of the Order of the Holy Cross in Indonesia.
Ordained a Missionary
On September 27, 1970, in his hometown of Kerkdriel, young Leo was ordained a priest, the only one that year, after completing his theology and pastoral studies in Amsterdam. “I may have been the last priest from our OSC religious order ordained in the Netherlands,” he recalls.
In a gesture of ecumenical friendship, a Protestant minister from Kerkdriel also joined the ordination service. “It was the beginning of a new era of ecumenism in our parish,” Fr. Leo told Radio Veritas Asia.
His ordination was a village celebration. To mark the occasion, the entire community organized a week-long festival called Indonesian Week, featuring exhibitions, dances, traditional food, and talks about the faraway country where their native son would soon serve.
A Chaotic First Night in Jakarta
Just two months after his ordination, Fr. Leo arrived in Jakarta after a long flight from Amsterdam. His first hours in Indonesia were, in his words, “a baptism by fire.”
Sleep was impossible. It was the eve of Eid al-Fitr, and fireworks echoed through the night. “Dor-dor-dor! (bang-bang-bang!) I thought there was a war going on to welcome me,” he laughed, recalling that “nightmare” of his first day in the Indonesian capital in 1970. “I was terrified and prayed an act of contrition on my first night,” he added with a smile.
Pastoral Assignment in Indramayu
After three months of language study, Fr. Leo was sent to Indramayu, a small coastal city in West Java Province. His welcome? A flood.
The rectory was a century-old Chinese-style house. “My room had bamboo walls and a ceiling, and at night the rats danced above my head,” he remembers with humor.
His only vehicle was an old bicycle for visiting remote stations, and when the roads were too muddy, he walked, sometimes 12 kilometers, to celebrate Mass.
Despite the hardship, Fr. Leo thrived. “The people were so kind and open. I felt at home right away,” he said. “My parishioners in Indramayu were always smiling and genuinely hospitable. I felt at home, even in such simplicity.”
Years in Bandung: Teacher, Pastor, and Vicar General
After four and a half years in Indramayu, Fr. Leo was transferred to Bandung, the capital city of West Java Province, serving at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish in Pandu. “To tell the truth, I was not an ideal community member,” he admits. “I preferred to be with the people in the field.”
He served there for eight years before being assigned to St. Peter’s Cathedral, teaching Scripture and homiletics, and serving as hospital chaplain at Borromeus Chapel. Those two and a half years left a deep impression on him.
Later, he returned to Pandu Church as parish priest, shepherding the community for 13 years and fostering parish choirs, youth groups, and Catholic schools. He was also appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Bandung, a role he held while continuing his parish ministry.
After 23 years in Pandu, Fr. Leo returned to Bandung Cathedral as pastor and became chairman of the Holy Cross Foundation, managing around 70 diocesan schools.
Building Bridges of Friendship
Beyond the church walls, Fr. Leo built friendships with leaders of other faiths and government officials. He regularly attended Idul Fitri gatherings and visited Muslim scholars. “For me, that’s part of the Church’s mission — to build true fraternity,” he says.
His easy laughter, simple lifestyle, and steady presence have made him beloved by many across Bandung.
Indonesia Is His Homeland
This year, on November 27, 2025, Fr. Leo marked 55 years since his arrival in Indonesia. The young priest from Kerkdriel has long since become a spiritual father to thousands. A festive Mass was held in Bandung’s St. Peter’s Cathedral to celebrate his 55th priestly anniversary.
“I no longer see Indonesia as a mission field,” he says softly. “It has become my homeland and my motherland.”
With characteristic humility, he adds, “It’s not I who has been faithful, but the people; they have been so faithful and supportive. Thank you for your cooperation, sympathy, and support. My prayers are with all who have shared this priestly journey with me.”
Order of the Holy Cross
The Order of the Holy Cross (Ordo Sanctae Crucis – OSC) was founded in 1210 in the Netherlands. In 1248, Pope Innocent IV officially recognized it as a Canonical Order, a religious community that combined contemplative life with pastoral service.
Though primarily contemplative, devoted to prayer, adoration, and interior life, its spirituality has always remained outward-looking, becoming a source of missionary strength.
From quiet cloisters in medieval Europe to pastoral fields in Asia and Africa, the spirituality of the Holy Cross continues to shine, proclaiming its timeless motto: “In Cruce Salus, In the Cross is our salvation.”
The first OSC missionaries arrived in Indonesia on February 9, 1927. Today, the Order serves in parishes, schools, and formation houses in the Diocese of Bandung and the Diocese of Agats in Papua.
