In celebrating the 180th anniversary of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood, the National Jamboree was held on 04-07 July at Petrus Canisius Mertoyudan Middle Seminary.
35 dioceses took part in this National Jamboree. Two dioceses were absent: the Archdiocese of Kupang and the Diocese of Manokwari/Sorong. The spirit and enthusiasm of the children/teenager were clearly seen on their faces during the registration. The participants gathered at the front yard and then moved in line through the entrance. While moving to the entrance, each group introduced their diocese with yells, songs and short dances. After the committee of the National Jamboree received them, they made another registration.
The opening mass was attended by four Bishops: Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, O.S.C. (Diocese of Bandung), Mgr. Dr. Robertus Rubiyatmoko (Archdiocese of Semarang), Mgr. Pius Riana Prapdi (Diocese of Ketapang) and Mgr. Dr. Vitus Rubianto Solichin, S.X. (Diocese of Padang); together with around 50 priests.
In his opening speech, Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, O.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Bandung as well as the Chief of Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia, wished that the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood children/teenagers have the spirit of sharing joy and living in the spirit of Gospel. Friendship should be shared with everybody, disregarding different religions, backgrounds, ethnic and languages, for they all are the children of Indonesia. By making such friendships, the Bishop asked the children to get involved and take part in the Church, society and everywhere they are, so they can be a blessing to anyone.
The National Jamboree was opened by singing Indonesia Raya, the national anthem of Indonesia. Feast was also held to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood. The whole activities of the National Jamboree were very well and completely managed. There were 4 sessions of education, which one of the subjects was the Missionary Vocation of the Church. Activities of each group performed in the open air were games, reflection and sharing. The group of missionaries made a missionary visit to places of worship of different religions, nursing homes, museums of mission, cultural centres, tombs and gardens. The children/teenagers are not only given mission training in theory but also sent to get directly involved in the surrounding community, not only around the church surrounding but also going beyond the borders of religions, ages, cultures and ethnicities. This is in accordance with the theme of the 2023 National Jamboree: “Sharing the joy of the Gospel in diversity, making friends, getting involved and being a blessing”. The participants could also hone their creativity by making a short video of their visit which would be presented to them.
The animators and companions of SEKAMI children/teenagers were also given a briefing of missionaries in the digital world. The art performance was shown on the second night, giving the opportunity to each region to present their offering for ten minutes. The Laudato Si Sports Centre was filled with the joy of the children/teenagers wearing different traditional clothes. They looked proud and enthusiastic. Diversity and richness of Indonesian cultures were performed that night in friendship and joy.
On the third day, the prayer of 1000 national missionary candles was held. Participants gathered outside the seminary building. The dark yard was gradually illuminated when the children/teenagers lighted up their candles. While reciting the missionary rosary, they moved around the seminary complex before entering the Laudato Si Sports Centre, where then the candles formed the number 180.
The 2023 National Jamboree which involved Catholic children/teenagers throughout Indonesia also got the attention of the Indonesian Bible Society. They donated 1000 Deuterocanonical Bibles New Translation II, so each participant could bring home the newest translated Bible.
Mgr. Rubiyatmoko was seen among the participants during the four-day activities. He rejoiced at the participants’ presence which had brought joy and hope to the Church. In the talk show with him, children/teenagers could ask and answer the questions about mission and the theme of the National Jamboree. The questions being asked are: what is the mission? Where to start? How do we start by ourselves? What is it like to be a blessing to others? What is the activity of doing a mission for others? The Bishop interacted with the participants by leaving the stage and mingling with the participants. At the end of the talk show, Bishop Rubi advised the children/teenagers to remember their task of being like Jesus who saved humans, to be a blessing everywhere, and especially make friends with the disabled, and to be open Catholic.
The missionary commitment of the 2023 National Jamboree was read out to the participants on the last day. RD. Yunarvian Dwi Putranto, Chief of the Organizer Committee to the 2023 National Jamboree told: in December 2022 the request for Diocese of Semarang hosting the 2023 Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood National Jamboree was was sent out to the Bishop of Semarang. The request was accepted and preparation was set up. Father Yunarvian reminded the children/teenagers that the closing mass of the 2023 National Jamboree did not end 2023 National Jamboree, yet it is the missionary mass for the children/teenagers to carry on the mission in each diocese.
The closing mass was led by Bishop Rubi. In his homily, the Bishop told the question that constantly comes into his mind: “What does the joy of the Gospel mean?” The Bishop explained by using the story of Matthew, the tax collector, who was considered as a sinner, a nation betrayal due to his collecting tax from the people. Matthew rejoiced after encountering Jesus. He was greeted and called by Jesus, this was not an ordinary joy, but a joy of encountering the Saviour. It’s the experience of faith that turned the weary and sorrow into joy. Matthew did not keep the joy for himself, instead, he shared it with his friends who were also eliminated. He invited them to rejoice and eat together. That is what the Bishop meant by the example of sharing the joy of the Gospel.
At the end of the activity RD. Markus Nur Widipranoto, National Director of Pontifical Mission Society, thanked everybody and also announced that from the meeting of Directors of Dioceses, they had nominated 3 dioceses to host the 2028 National Jamboree. They are the Archdiocese of Makassar, Diocese of Manado, and Diocese of Bandung. However, the final decision will be determined by The Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia.
(Budi Ingelina – Pontifical Mission Societies Indonesia)
Situs Resmi Karya Misi Kepausan Indonesia (KMKI) 