In the Province of St. Michael-The Archangel, Indonesia, the friars usually celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with the Franciscan Family (ORDO I: OFM, OFMConv, and OFMCap; ORDO II: OSC or Claris Sisters, and ORDO III: regular and secular) both at the diocesan, regional, and guardianate levels. In each diocese, the number of Franciscan congregations is joined to be one as local Franciscan Family groups. For example, in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, the group is named as KANESTA, the Archdiocese of Semarang is called KEKANTA, the Diocese of Bogor is called GEFRABO, the Archdiocese of Ende is called KEFRADA, and so on.
This year, 2023, the celebration, which culminated on 4 October, began as usual with, first, the Great Novena of St. Francis of Assisi, which is held for 9 consecutive days in the Franciscan Parishes from 22-30 September; second, the Triduum: a 3-days activity to reflect together on a particular theme based on the direction and pastoral vision of each diocese or based on the formula to be achieved by each entity or guardianate; third, the Transitus: a celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the transition of the Seraphic Fathers from earth to heaven; and fourth, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.
In Jakarta, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi was celebrated by the Friars Minor together with the Franciscan Family of the Archdiocese of Jakarta (KANESTA) at the Sacred Heart Church-Kramat Parish, Central Jakarta. The theme of this celebration was: "Stepping Together for Common Welfare". The eucharist was led by the local guardian, Br. Stanislaus Agus Suharyo, OFM.
On the other dioceses, in Bogor, Franciscan Family of Bogor (GEFRABO) celebrated the feast of St. Francis of Assisi at the OFM Transitus Novitiate, Depok, West Java. In Kapuas Hulu, Sintang Diocese, West Kalimantan, the brothers and sisters started the celebration with a joint study with the theme "Living the Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi in Daily Life" and then the eucharistic celebration at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception-Putussibau Parish, West Kalimantan, was presided by Mgr. Samuel Otton Sidin, OFM Cap (Bishop of the Diocese of Sintang-West Kalimantan).
It was no different in the Archdiocese of Ende-Flores. The Franciscan Family of Ngada (KEFRADA) celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi at the Church of the Holy Cross - Soa Parish. This was also happened in the Foundation of East Timor, especially in the new place where the Friars Minor began to serve the people since August 2023, namely Fatumea Parish - Diocese of Maliana, East Timor. The head priest of the parish, Br. Eugénio Pereira OFM, celebrated the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi for the first time with the people of the parish, which was served for a few months. The parishioners were very happy because not only get to know the Friars Minor who live the spirit of brotherhood and minority, but they were also invited to get to know the Person of the Poor Man of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi.
Contributed by: Br. Jimmy H.R. Tnomat, OFM
