As religious who are preparing for our final vows, we have been blessed with the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the apostolic dimension of our consecrated life in the light of the Second Vatican Council and other Church documents. Our speaker for the third week of our formation program week (June 19 to 23, 2023) was Fr. Francis Purwanto from SCJ Indonesian Province, who shared with us his insights and experiences on how to do mission in Asia.

One of the main points that Fr. Francis emphasized was the importance of knowing and understanding our own culture and tradition as Asians, where we can find the seeds of Christ’s life and message. He said that by doing so, we can articulate more clearly the essence of Asian Christology, which is based on the values of harmony, compassion, wisdom, and spirituality. He also challenged us to be attentive to the signs of the times and to discern how God is calling us to respond to the needs and aspirations of our people.

Another key point that Fr. Francis highlighted is the need for inculturation in our mission. He said that inculturation is not just a matter of adapting to the local customs and practices, but also a way of dialoguing with other religions and cultures, respecting their richness and diversity, and learning from their wisdom and spirituality. He cautioned us, however, not to compromise our Catholic faith and identity in the process of inculturation. He said that we should always remain faithful to the basic teachings of the Church and to the charism of our congregation.

Finally, Fr. Francis reminded us that consecrated life is a gift of the Church and a sign of God’s love for humanity. He said that many people in history have chosen to leave behind the world and dedicate themselves to a contemplative life, not to separate themselves from others, but to seek God in silence and solitude, and to detach themselves from worldly attachments. He said that as Asians, especially as Filipinos, we have a strong sense of religiosity that can help us nurture our relationship with God and with others.

We are grateful to Fr. Francis for his inspiring and enlightening talks and for his generous sharing of his missionary experiences. We hope that his words will help us grow in our commitment to live out our religious vows in an apostolic way in Asia.

By: Bro July Zambrano, SCJ