here were also three ‘haggi’ (literally ‘pilgrims’, a title that can be carried by Muslims after the Mecca pilgrimage, one of five pillars of Islam) praying in our chapel a few months ago, when one of our Sister’s died: it was really very moving”.
In our neighborhood, which counts 12-thousand Catholics, the Christmas Novena began December 10, in a joyous spirit and with at heart the poor. Adjoined to the parish we have a dispensary open to all and it is particularly the Muslims that seek and find assistance and medicine
These were the words of Sister Yolanda Vezzoli, Italian Canossian missionary, carrying out her mission in Bintaro, a neighborhood just outside the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. Sister Yolanda, originally from Fontanella al Piano (Bergamo province, Italy), reminded that there has never been unrest between Catholics and Muslims in Bintaro: “the cohabitation – she stated – is absolutely peaceful”. But how does the Catholic community live the Christmas season in the world’s largest Muslim nation? “Naturally it is not very celebrated; the Muslims in fact just finished celebrating the Id al-Fitr solemnity which concludes Ramadan”, explained the missionary.
“But in our neighborhood, which counts 12-thousand Catholics, the Christmas Novena began December 10, in a joyous spirit and with at heart the poor”. “Adjoined to the parish we have a dispensary open to all – explained the missionary – and it is particularly the Muslims that seek and find assistance and medicine”. A serene and close relationship between the two communities, which conflicts with the news that arrives from other regions of the planet, where much of the violence roots from inter-religious tensions. After spending 13 years in the Philippines and 14 in East Timor, 3 years ago Sister Yolanda arrived in Bintaro, where at the time there was no Catholic presence. “It is marvellous, the Holy Spirit conceded the birth of this great community, entirely integrated with the Muslims”, explained with emotion the missionary.
“First the Canossian house was built, then the parish, the novice house of the Xaverian missionaries, the house of exercises and now our novice. While this advent we went with the Xaverians to seek the most needy families, forced to live in crumbling huts, in an intent to give them a more decorous abode. We individuated four or five of them, some even Muslims, that for Christmas will have a new home. Also for the children we are preparing something that will bring them a little happiness”.
(From MISNA)