Francis Wawan is a young Xaverian missionary from Indonesia who transferred to Mexico City two years ago to study theology and become a priest. Sadly, he has been diagnosed with a serious form of
leukemia. Despite being under intensive treatment, he asked his superiors if he could be admitted to perpetual profession, or become a Xaverian definitively. The celebration took place on
March 21. This is the letter from the rector of the community of the Xaverian
theology, Father Kitimbwa Lukangakye, published in "En Familia"
(Xaverian bulletin of Mexico), which conveys a moving message of hope and an extraordinary lesson in life which are to the
honor of the family of the Blessed Guido Maria Conforti.
On May 28, our brother Wawan passed away at 4:00 in the morning, a little over two months from the profession of his perpetual vows. "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)
awan arrived straight from hospital, a few minutes before the start of the ceremony, in a wheelchair and with an oxygen cylinder. He was happy. He was accompanied by Doctor Vergara, who was visibly moved; the medic, who is treating his illness, assisted him throughout the Mass. Mrs Lorenia from Mexico blessed Wawan on behalf of his parents, who were unable to travel from Indonesia to be with their son.
To Nurture and to Grow
in the Missionary Life
I had headaches since my philosophy studies in Jakarta, but I thought to suffer them because of stress and activities. In fact, I went to the doctors numerous times, but he told me that everything was all right.
In June of 2003 I started suffering of even stronger pains: high fever, a general weakness of the bones, spots on my skin, and a gradual loss of sight. I immediately went through exams and analysis, to find out that I had “acute
leukemia."
I have lived these months of uncertainty and suffering as a true journey: I grew in my faith; my vocation in life has become clearer; and I felt the deep bond that unites me to my Xaverian family. In fact, many Xaverian Missionaries throughout the world, friends, relatives and benefactors here in Mexico and in Indonesia are praying for me and for my health. It is the fruit of their love and concern. It is the sign of the love of God for me who has chosen me “before my
birth."
I wish to summarize this experience with the words of Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). For this reason I cannot give up; instead, I would only want to share my words full of hope: all that we need is his Grace to live fully our own vocation.I thank God for these moments, and for everything God has given me. God tells me in many ways, on a daily basis, how to nurture my vocation and grow in my missionary life.
Wawan
Father Luigino Marchioron, the superior of the Xaverians in Mexico, telephoned Wawan’s mother Yustina in Indonesia twice, before and after the service. There was a brief moment of concern to begin with: it seemed that his oxygen cylinder was not working properly. But in my heart I was sure of one thing: that this moment was important to Wawan’s happiness. He was giving himself over to God in the Xaverian family for the rest of his life. We were all struck by his serenity and joy, by his smile, given the seriousness of his condition.
At various points, we failed to hide our emotion, to hold back the tears. We were party to the delivery of a young person over to Jesus, who said: “No-one takes away my life, I am the one who delivers it up”. I remembered that one day Wawan said in prayer: “You are nailed to the cross and you offer your blood and your water; we, your brothers, like Mary, are at the foot of the cross, we are looking at you, we are nearby”.
This is how Wawan gave his life to the Lord, for ever. He took the vow of chastity, obedience and poverty, and also of love. We all witnessed this moment, and we can bear witness to it. In his homily, Father Luigino said: “You would have liked to have been in better health in order to deliver your life over to God in mission. Instead, you are present at your consecration without physical strength, supported by others in your weakness and impotence. But you feel that you are in God’s hands. Your patient and trusting love is stronger than your weaknesses.
As the apostle Peter said: Lord, you know that I love you. Love is your strongest weapon: it is your true strength. To know and feel yourself to be completely in His hands is an extremely deep experience of Christian living. In these months, your sole desire has been to serve the Lord and the missionary family with all your heart, starting with your illness, wearing you heart on your sleeve, with the gates of your heart open. It is a different, strong and true way of living out and fulfilling the mission.”
The young Mexican Enrique Alvarez Casillas made his perpetual profession together with Wawan, doing for both of them everything foreseen by the liturgy: kneeling down, standing up… and he did it well. At the end of the Mass, Enrique spoke simply for both of them: “With all our heart, thank you!” Numerous photographs were then taken with
Wawan, who was still in his wheelchair under the discreet gaze of his doctors and nurse.
The celebration ended with a convivial encounter with friends and relatives. But Wawan was absent: his doctors ordered him straight back to hospital to his ventilator machine. There, during a brief pause he shared with Father Luigino the celebratory meal prepared by Mrs Lorenia. Though he is in extremely poor health, Wawan is faithful and serene. The next few days will be decisive for the progression of the disease. We are asking everyone to accompany him in prayer”.
(From Xaverian News - MISNA)