Chapter of Mats of the Province of St. Michael the Archangel, Indonesia

The Chapter of Mats in the Province of St. Michael the Archangel, Indonesia, was held from November 4-9, 2024, at the Vitra Ballroom-Kramat, Central Jakarta. This Chapter was attended by the Guardians, the Definitories, the President and the Council of the Foundation of St. Antony de Lisboa Timor Leste, the Province Councils and Commissions, the JPIC Director of Indonesia, and the formator representatives. Discussions were held at the guardianates level with invited speakers from the Secular Franciscan Order, the Third Order Regular, and the Lay Catholics. Participants brought the results of their guardianates level to the Province Chapter of Mats.

This Chapter was opened by the Minister Provincial, Br. Mikhael Peruhe OFM. In his address, Br. Mike read the letter from the Minister General, Br. Massimo Fusarelli OFM, regarding his visitation to Indonesia and Timor Leste in August 2024. Br. Mike emphasized that several messages from the Minister General also could inspire the brothers in this Chapter. He also stated that this Chapter was a graced opportunity for the brothers to make discernment about the shape of their lives as Friars Minor who working in Indonesia and Timor Leste, based on the theme “Living the Franciscan Charism, Communion, and Mission in a Changing World.”

Three resource persons were present to provide input. They are Sr. Bernadeta Budi Juliati FMM, Angela Oktavia Suryani OFS, and Francisia Saveria Ery Seda. Based on the input from these three resource persons and the collective reflections of the brothers at the guardianates level, the brothers engaged in a shared reflection using the “world café” method in the spirit of synodality. Through this method and synodal spirit, the brothers sought to listen to one another, offer mutual support, identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and propose concrete actions for their mission and service as Friars Minor. The formulations resulting from these reflections and shared discussions serve as critical notes and a strategic guide for the brothers to continue nurturing and living the Franciscan Charism, Communion, and Mission in response to the challenges of the modern world with concrete and sustainable actions based on the current context of a changing world.

Br. Jimmy Hendrik Rance Tnomat, OFM