Indonesia - Celebrating resilience and renewal: the Don Bosco celebration in Jakarta
Jakarta, Indonesia - January 2025 - Indonesia, and in particular the city of Jakarta, recently came to terms with the daunting consequences of an unexpected flood that affected many people, including the communities of Sunter and Kelapa Gading. Yet, in the midst of these difficult times, the spirit of unity and faith within the Salesian Family shone brightly during the celebrations in honour of Don Bosco. The month-long celebrations culminated on 31 January at the Postnovitiate chapel in Wisma. Fr Vincentius Prastowo, Superior of the Salesian Vice-Province of Indonesia (INA), celebrated the Mass and in his homily recalled the theme of the Strenna 2023: ‘AS YEAST IN TODAY’S HUMAN FAMILY. The lay dimension of Don Bosco's Family'. He then compared the Salesian presence in Indonesia to yeast, small but deeply transformative. Finally, Fr Prastowo urged those present to recall the history of the Vice-Province and reflect on its remarkable growth over the years. This feast of Don Bosco was therefore not only the celebration of a Saint, but also a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to live proactively, inspired by the rich legacy and dynamic vision of the Salesian mission.