Reminiscence: The Catholic Church in Bandung, Indonesia

While checking my computer files this afternoon I found these photos. I took this pictures in November of 2007 during my second visit to Bandung, Indonesia. Bandung is the Capital City of West Java province. Its a two-hour drive from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Bandung has a long colonial History under the Dutch. It was the favorite vacation hide-away of the Dutch and even today it is still a famous tourist city in Indonesia. It is called Parsi von Java (the Paris of Java) It is connected by a six lane highway from Jakarta making land trip easier and faster. The majority of the People living in Bandung are called Sundanese or simply, Sunda. They have a reputation for beauty and gracefulness and also a valiant history. In 2007 I participated in the Programme Training on the Human Rights and Equal Status of Women in Southeast Asia sponsored by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Lund, Sweden in cooperation with the Padjadjaran University in Bandung. The two weeks workshop was hectic from dawn to dusk. But I tried my best to find time to visit the Cathedral of Bandung. The titular of the Cathedral is St. Peter. I was able to attend a Sunday Mass. The Sunday Mass was marvelous very solemn. The responsorial Psalms were sung and the Music were traditional hymns, very reverent in rendition. I hope that our Masses here in the Philippines could be celebrated in the same way. To think that in Indonesia Catholics are in a Minority. Yet despite of being a Minority Group, the Catholic Church exert influence especially in the field of Education. There are famous universities in Indonesia run by the Jesuits. In bandung they have the Parahayangan Catholic University, famous and one of the oldes in West Java. Established and administered by the Jesuits.

The Belfry of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Bandung, Indonesia

The Cathedral of Bandung is located in the City Center of Bandung located near the Bank of Indonesia Building and the Central Police Station. It is a prominent building and a sight to behold. Can you imagine the Catholic Church, a mere minority in Indonesia, yet it has a huge cathedral right in the Middle of Bandung? Indonesia is tolerant and respects freedom of religion. Although there is freedom of religion, the state recognizes only six religions, Islam, Roman Catholic, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.

The Chancery, Bandung, Indonesia

This is the chancery and Pastoral center of the Diocese of Bandung. The Bishop's chair was vacant since January 19, 2006. It was only in May 17, 2008 that Johannes Maria Trilaksyanta Pujasumarta was elected as its current Bishop.

In front of the Chancery

After the mass, I tried every effort to meet the Parish Priest. I kissed his hand in a gesture of respect and I tried to strike a conversation with him in English. But he found it hard to speak in English instead he keep on talking to me in Bahasa Indonesia. But nonetheless he was delighted when I told him that I came from the Philippines.

The Cathedral Church in early Morning Dawn

Bank of Indonesia Building in Bandung

Co-Participants in the Human Rights Training in Small group Discussion, Malya Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia

"SANTACRUZAN"

The month of May is a festive month in the Philippines. It is the month where most fiestas are celebrated in by villages and towns. Above all the Filipinos have a beautiful cultural as well as religious tradition known as "Santacruzan". The "Santracruzan" is a folkloric reenactment of the exultation of the Holy Cross. The different living dioramas shows Constantine as a little boy together with his mother St. Helena. On a given date a prade is held in the village or town where people renact the finding of the True Cross. This activity specially delightful to children. As a child I had fond memories of this events. We certainly love to participate in these processions and tableus because after the processions we were always treated with cookies, sweets and drinks by the Hemano or Hermana Mayor. The Hermano or Hermana is the leading lay person in the community who by recognized piety and means is willing to provide for the needs of the festivals. The Santacruzans are usually initiated by lay persons. The Procession is always preceded by a huge lantern made in the shape of a cross with bamboo as frames and Japanese paper as cover. The Cross usually depicts the symbols of torture such as the crown of thorns, the nails and flagellation instruments. On the side of the Cross there are two lanterns made in the shape of stars. Then at the middle of the procession is the Cross born on a platform with women and children singing as the procession goes its way. The singers are called cantoras (singers / chanters), the singing are accompanied by drums and trumpets as well as other musical instruments. Actually this folksy religious practice is Hispanic in origin, promoted by the Spanish Missionaries during the colonial period. The Friars were very creative in trying to convey the truth of the Christian Faith to the native population who were still young in faith. This practice aside from entertaining is also cultural. Although in some places this practice as denigrated into fashion shows, still in many rural areas it has retained its charm and religious significance.

The Shrine of St. Helena in the Vatican

The Santacruzan is taken from the story of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. St. Helena is a woman of Character, simplicity, and deep personal piety. She was marrid to a Roman General and bore him a son - Constantine. She was divorced by her husband and after the death of her husband Constantine became Emperor and subsequently made Chriatianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. You can read more about her from the Wikepedia.

The three crosses are discovered. An injured young man is healed by the True Cross. 15th century frescoes at the Church of San Francesco, Arezzo by Piero della Francesca.

MORE ON MARINDUQUE

Photos and Narration by Dr. Herbert

Here are some more pictures of our field research activities in Marinduque. Join us in our journey!

Botilao, Sta. Cruz

This is barangay (Filipino term for village) Botilao. We visited this barangay for the puspose of conducting interview with people who had direct experience with the environmental catasthrope that happened in Marinduqe almost ten years ago. Botilao is a remote village. One has to traverse narrow and treacherous roads along hillsides. We came on a rainy day. The Jeepney driver was prodding us to hurry and wrap up our interviews and visits because the downpour may create mud pools along the road which could get our vehicles stuck.

Giant Boulder

Along the Buenavista - Torrios Route, I saw this boulder and was inspired to take this picture. There are plenty of giant boulders along the way, which made me think that perhaps this part of the island was volcanic in origin. I was reminded of the words of Christ to Peter in Capenaum. "Thou art Rock and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of hades will not overcome it!." Indeed what a statement summarizing the powers of God and the beauty of God's Church.

Writing Field Notes

I required my students to write field notes. After each day of field interviews, visitation, and observations, I require them to write expanded field notes. In order to set the proper learning athmosphere, I forbade them from bringing in guitar or cards. I even forbade them from watching television for the entire duration of the field work. As a teacher for the past 13 years I have learned that discipline is very important. A teacher has to be firm and should impose discipline. Thus I have developed a refutation for being strict and demanding teacher. Indeed, these character traits have contributed to the success of my teaching work. Young people need role models and figures whom they can emulate and respect. Hence a teacher is expected to behave in a mature manner and must show that he or she has moral ascendancy over his or her wards.

The Chancery

The Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marinduque helped us with our field work and in our research work.

The Tomb of Bishop Rafael Lim

Class Picture

This photo was taken just minutes before we left Marinduque. On the background is the dormitory of the Marinduque State College.

The Chefs

These are the group of students who were assigned with doing the household chores during our entire stay in Marinduque. They cooked for us, washed dishes, did some shopping, etc.. At times when the rest were busy with their Field Notes and writing reports, I would visit these group in the kitchen and would find time to chat with them. Sometimes I would supervise their cooking and washing of dishes. The three boys seated in the photo were nicknamed "Kung fu Kids" by their classmates because they looked younger for their age. But they were very helpful and industrious. They volunteered to carry my luggages and the teaching paraphernalia we brought along with us.

My Favorite Saint

Here again is my favorite saint, St. Anthony of Padua. I found his image occupying a nich in the right side of the reredos. St. Anthony pray for us!

St. Mark

Here is another saint close to my heart. St. Mark the Evangelist. St. Mark wrote a brief narrative of Christ's life and Passion. He is credited with founding the Church in Alexandria

Rev. Fr. Diego de Saura

I saw this marker on the grounds of the Boac Cathedral, the inscription reads: "El Pueblo de la isla de Menorca, a su Hijo Reverendo Padre Diego de Saura, Misionero Jesuita en la isla de Marinduque, 1598-1631".