Since June 14th, 2025, the Entire General Council arrived in Yogyakarta for its Regular Session, but also to participate at the end of its stay in the Celebrations that would mark the 25th Anniversary of the Brothers’ Presence in Indonesia. It was accompanied by the Secretary General, who shared his Testimony here.
The General Council and its Secretary ready to work
“Indeed, all the Brothers of the Council had already had the opportunity to discover Indonesia and the Brothers present in the St. Francis Xavier District. But for my part, it was first and foremost a long journey (almost 24 hours!) and a New World into which we are immersed.”
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Wednesday Evening Mass with a Claretian Father, here with the General Council |
Wednesday Evening Mass with a Claretian Father, surrounded by the 5 First-year Postulants |
Wednesday Evening Mass with a Claretian Father, surrounded by the 3 Scholastics |
the Chapel of Wisma La Mennais, Yogyakarta |
“We were all very touched by the Welcome we received. First of all, Brother Gildas Prigent, Brother Visitor and Brother Assistant, Brother Daniel Lefrère, Director of the Scholasticate, District Bursar, etc., and Brother Zenobius Meo, Director of the 1st -Year Postulancy and Student.
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| The Postulants welcomed us with Songs | Brother Gildas Prigent, Brother Visitor of the District, Introducing everyone |
“A warm Welcome was also given by the Three Scholastic Brothers: Brothers Rikar, Paskal and Fridus, and the Five young people in the First year of Postulancy: Thio, Ven, Jesteng, Ertus, and Carles. Here, it was Customary to give oneself a First Name that was rather short compared to Christian First Names.
 On June 20th , we celebrated the Birthday of Brother Gildas, “supported” here by the Superior General |
The Cake! And the “Many Candles”!!
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“Of course, what was striking was both the Joyful and Fervent Presence of Christians – we experienced it on the First Sunday at the Parish Mass; but it was also the Presence of Islam – Indonesia is the largest Muslim Country in the World! – A very strong Presence, the proximity of Mosques, the call to Prayer throughout Our days, very early in the Morning…
 Ground floor of the Community Section, where the Council has taken up Residence. |
 1st floor of the Community Section, where the Council has taken up Residence. |
“The First Week has passed: the General Council has settled into its Cruising Speed, and the Menu was plentiful! We appreciated the Quality of the House that welcomed us: Functionality, Simplicity, and Beauty; Fortunately we benefited from a climate that remained bearable. But the Air Conditioning helped us stay faithful to Our Meetings, and to Our Naps!… and to be able to start the nights with a little freshness.
 Prayer – in Indonesian – brought us all together in the Chapel, in the Joy of being Brothers together |
 During the First Week, the Community, the Scholastics and the Postulants animated our times of Prayer. |
One last thing: we were all supported by the quality of the Prayer and the Songs of Our Scholastics and Postulants. Even if the Language remained an obstacle to understanding, the Reading remained accessible and allowed us to share in the Prayer of all. A Joyful, Fervent Prayer that reflected on the relationships between us: Simplicity, No Complexes between Young and Old, between Indonesians and people from elsewhere! Joy of being Brothers, quite Simply.
There’s still a Week to go before we take the Plane that would take us in stages to Larantuka and the 25th Anniversary Celebrations, if the Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano doesn’t disrupt everything!
Terima kasi!! (Thank you for following us!!!!) Union in all!
Testimony of Brother Hervé ASSE