Many of those attending the recently concluded General Chapter in Malang, Indonesia, found themselves with a bit of time to explore the area. Some arrived a few days in advance to adjust to the time difference. Most took part in the scheduled Sunday free day at the end of the first week. All the excursions involved meals at local restaurants, courtesy of donors to the Indonesian province.
Those who arrived early were treated to a walking tour of Tumpang Valley with its Javenese statues and Koi fishponds on Saturday, September 6. Following that members took a journey up the mountain to the province’s retreat house—Carmel Mount of Peace—where they were again treated to a wonderful meal prepared by the sisters. While they ate, they enjoyed the incredible views.
The majority departed a few hours later for the monastery of Carmelite nuns in Batu. We then crossed the street to the Carmelite parish where Carmelite Bishop Henricus Pidyardo had just finished confirmation and was now with the parishioners celebrating the 90th anniversary of the parish. The Chapter members were invited to join in. This was followed by a short drive to the Carmelite novitiate in Batu with Mass and lunch together with the community.
Then it was off to the East Java Park and the Batu Secret Zoo. The group’s fascination with the animals could not overcome the heat and humidity (and perhaps jet lag for some) so most of the group waited on the steps while a few hearty souls ventured into the museum section of the zoo. This was followed by a welcome meal and drinks at a local restaurant owned by supporters of the Order in Indonesia.
On Sunday, September 13, a few members set out to celebrate Mass with the residents of the Indonesian province’s House of Mercy, a residence in Batu for elderly who have no family to take care of them. Two buses departed a few hours later with the other members to visit some of the cultural-historical sites of Malang and the Carmelites. Among these was the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel where the closing Mass and signing of the Acts of the Chapter would be held, the original Carmelite church in Malang, and the original dwelling of the Carmelites when they arrived from the Netherlands over 100 years ago. That building is currently being remodeled to hold the provincial offices and living quarters fo the Indonesian province.
But probably the highlight for everyone was the group’s experience at the Kolumbarium—a multi-purpose facility of the province. Visitors toured the guest house, the residence for the Carmelites stationed on the property, a museum of the province, a chapel containing the tomb of Bishop Franciscus Hadisumarta, O. Carm., and several areas dedicated to reserving the ashes of deceased Catholics as well as many of the members of the province. It provides a lot of open space and has become a popular spot for families to come and spend part of the day.
But it was when the Carmelite students as well as members of the St Albert’s Senior School community performed a Balinese dance based on the ancient Indian epic of Ramayana, that all the beauty of the Indonesian culture— its sounds, colors, and dance—came together. The epic of Ramayana narrates the life of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu, who is a prince of Ayodhya in the kingdom of Kosala. The epic follows his 14-year exile to the forest urged by his father on the request of Rama’s stepmother. His travels across the forests in the Indian subcontinent with his wife Sinta and brother; the kidnapping of Sinta by the king of Lanka; and Rama’s eventual return to Ayodhya along with Sinta to be crowned as a king amidst jubilation and celebration.
The master of ceremony for the show was Dimas Pele Alu, a member of the province’s formation team and well-known performer. Dimas introduced the characters and action of the epic in a humorous fashion and in a variety of languages. There were many references to the action parallelling religious life. All the hard work of the performers and musicians made for a memorable experience for the Chapter members. The evening concluded with a buffet dinner at a local restaurant which afforded some of the braver souls in the group to perform with the local band.
On Saturday, September 27, following the Chapter’s conclusion, those members flying out in subsequent days adjourned to the main house of the Hermanas Carmelitas de Oriuela in Malang for a lunch of local dishes and a bit of singing and dancing.
