Br. Joni Pasalli, O.Carm.
From the 5th to the 9th of April 2013, an Asia-Oceania Carmelite students gathering was held in Malang, Indonesia. This gathering was attended by about 40 Carmelite students (3 from the Philippines, 4 from India, 8 from Timor Leste, 3 from Vietnam, and 22 from Indonesia) and 12 formators (2 from the Philippines, 2 from India, 2 from Timor Leste, 1 from Vietnam, and 5 from Indonesia). This gathering was also attended by the General Councilor for Asia-Australia-Oceania, Very. Rev. Father Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm.
The participants were invited to reflect on the Carmelite’s journey in the culture of where they live, especially in Asia with its variety of cultures. We discussed the cultural diversity in relation to the life of faith in our countries, the challenge to religious life, and the hopes and challenges for Carmelites in the future. This lively gathering was full of fraternity, study, prayer, recreation, relaxed and funny games.
On Friday 5th April, the gathering officially began with a Eucharistic celebration led by Father Simon Rande, O.Carm representing the Prior Provincial of Indonesia, Fr. Albertus Herwanta and the formators of each participating country. The celebration was enlivened by Bataknese Tortor dance performed by the Postulants of Hermanas Carmelitas and also by a beautiful choral presentation by the students of St. Albert Senior High School, Malang. After the Eucharistic celebration, the participants enjoyed a variety of lively and funny team games. In the afternoon, the participants presented the cultural uniqueness and the challenges for the Carmelite’s journey today. The presentation was very interesting, because it was embellished with photographs, so that all of us could understand each other very well. After dinner, the participants enjoyed recreation together.
The second day began with a Eucharistic celebration led by Fr. Francis Xavior Chinh Nguyen, O. Carm from Vietnam. After breakfast, the participants heard a conference given by Fr. Dr. Rico Ponce, O. Carm. The conference was divided into three sessions. The first session talked about the importance of sharing and strengthening each other in the community. The second session talked about the impact of globalization for the religious life. The third session talked about the cultural context in Asia, the challenge and the response of the Carmelites today. After dinner, the participants prayed together in front of the cross of Christ led by Fr. Benny Phang, O.Carm. After that, everyone watched the award winner - Indonesian film entitled Laskar Pelangi (rainbow troops).
The third day began with a Eucharistic celebration at which Fr. Noel Rosa, O. Carm. from the Philippines presided. After breakfast, the participants and formators visited some Carmelite Communities in Malang. Some of the Carmelite communities that we visited were the house for the elderly (Prophet Elijah Community), the Provincialate (St. Albert Community) and the formation house (Blessed John St. Samson community). After that we went to Batu. In Batu we visited the Carmelite nuns and the Carmelite Novitiate. Sister Rosa O.Carm, the prioress of the Carmelites nuns talked about the daily life of the nuns, translated by Fr. Benny. The sharing was interesting and strengthened us in our vocation. Then the brothers from the India Province performed a dance.
The next visit was to the Novitiate. We were welcomed by the Carmelite novices. We visited the chapel, enjoyed the beauty of the garden and the fish pond. The visit ended with lunch. This was a very special lunch. All of us enjoyed the menu. Then we returned to Malang. In the afternoon, we held a cooking competition in which the participants cooked the specialties from their different countries. At 7 pm, we had a dinner, enjoying the foods from the different countries. That was followed by a session featuring performances from each country. India, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Indonesia offered dances while Flores sang songs of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Vietnam illustrated a civil war story that ended with the appearance of the Blessed Mother. The event was concluded by all dancing together.
The fourth day began with a Eucharistic celebration at which Fr. Augusto Gallos, O. Carm from Timor Leste presided. After having breakfast, the participants attended a conference given by Fr. Dr. Benny Phang, O. Carm. He presented the Theology of the Body from Blessed John Paul II. The conference was divided into three sessions. He invited participants to find traces of the divine in the human body, especially in human sexuality. His conference, starting from the first human experience in the Garden of Eden before the fall into sin, went on to talk about human experiences after the fall, and finally the meaning of Christian celibacy. After dinner, the participants and formators had a period of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by Fr. Benny. He invited us to submit our whole self including our sexuality to God, so that He might change it into a true love offering for each other. After the prayer, we spent some time together in the recreation room. At the same time, the formators gathered to discuss the next meeting of the formators. They agreed that the next meeting of formators would be in the Philippines.
The fifth day was the last day of the gathering. Morning Prayer was led by the brothers from India. After breakfast, all of us went to Safari Park where the animals roam freely in the wild. In that place we learned about tropical environments and had some time for relaxation. At 4.30 pm, we arrived in Malang. The closing Mass was held at 6.00 pm at which Fr. Albert Herwanta, O. Carm. presided. He was accompanied by the formators of each country. In his homily, he said that the meeting was very important for the Carmelites for today and for the future. Furthermore, he said that this unity will help the brothers to work together in the future. The Mass was lively. The singing was performed by the Carmelite brothers from Indonesia. The gifts for the offertory were brought by Br. Dimas, O. Carm. He danced the Balinese dance. In addition, the closing Mass was attended by other members of the Carmelite family: Carmelitae Sancti Eliae (CSE), and The Daughters of Carmel (Putri Karmel), Carmelite novices and some Carmelite priests in Malang. After the Eucharistic celebration, the participants and the people had dinner together. At 8.30 pm, we continued with special performances from each group. The event concluded with a prayer in front of the dining room. As an expression of togetherness and joy, we set off fireworks. Overall, this gathering took place in an atmosphere of fulsome brotherhood, openness of heart, relaxation and funny moments. All the participants enjoyed the many events of this gathering.
Br. Joni Pasalli O. Carm (Indonesian Province)
