IDEAS THAT APPEARED IN THE EARLY 1980
At the very beginning it felt that there was a necessity for the diocesan priests candidates to be intensively prepared so that they have stable personalities, deep and solid spiritual lives and the right motivations. Therefore, Justinus Cardinal Darmojuwono DP, who at that time was the Bishop of Semarang, came up with an idea of the Spiritual Orientation Year. The seminarians would be required to take this program after they finish their study in the Minor Seminary before they proceed to Major Seminary.
During this year, the seminarians would be quiet period without any academic requirement load and also they would be brought deeper and deeper to God through work and spiritual activities such as “lectio, oratio, meditatio and contemplatio”. The experience and stability of faith to Christ is the most important thing in this program. Beside that main goal, English education is also taken into consideration as an important addition to enhance the future education.
This idea created pro and contra with all its argumentations, but at the end the Cardinal decided to proceed with the program.
STEP OF PREPARATION
After it was decided that the Spiritual Orientation Year immediately would be held, everything was prepared mostly regarding equipments and teachers.
First of all, a separated place from other education sites was needed so that it could be differed from the Seminary. At last, the Cardinal found a house at 2 Jangli Street, Semarang, that fulfills the requirements for the program. The house was bought by Archdiocesan of Semarang, the Society of Jesuit and “Gerakan Pancasila” as a place for lectures and meetings in order to develop the “Gerakan Pancasila”. But then the house was no longer in used for those purposes. For the time being, the place was functioned to give lessons for the catechist from the military. But, that particular lesson was also then dismissed. “This house is meant to be provided for Wisma Sanjaya”, Cardinal thought. With the consent of the Society of Jesuit and the “Gerakan Pancasila”, then it was endeavored to be completely owned by Archdiocesan of Semarang. This was not a simple matter because the owner of this house was a group of people, not a foundation. But, thank God, at last the house belongs to Archdiocesan of Semarang.
The preparation was then begun for the Spiritual Orientation Year. The original house is the main building that now is used for classed, library, language laboratory, dining room, entertainment room and guest rooms. The lower part is used as the convent and kitchen. First step was to expand the building. New rooms were built. Two rooms for the mentor priests and 26 rooms for the seminarians and for the guests. A praying room that is also a chapel was built, The corridor from the lower part of the seminarians' rooms to the dining room was built in the following few years.
One big event to remember is that for a few years this place had water shortage, it was due to the Drinking Water Company that went on and off. By the financial aid from Sr. Blandina OSF and Sr. Florista OSF, Wisma Sanjaya finally owns a well on the site with fresh, clean water to fulfill all the necessity of Wisma Sanjaya and the neighborhood. Before we had our own well, the seminarians had to commute carrying water from St. Elizabeth Hospital or the Archdiocesan of Semarang office.
Other event that should not be forgotten is the ceremonial of Mother Mary of Fatima Grotto opening that was held by the Cardinal also in December 8th, 1928. This grotto was built by community that was donated by someone from Kudus. Besides to devote the seminarians to Mother Mary, this grotto was also visited by the community who commit to the Novena of Mother Mary of Fatima that are held every 13th of each month starting February to October. The construction of the Mother Mary Grotto kept on progressing due to the kind charity funder who visit the sites regularly to find inspiration to decorate the grotto.
Other than the building, the mentors are prepared to take spiritual classes. At the same time Father Taruna Sayoga DP was officially became the staff mentor. The Spiritual Orientation Year is designed to have dual mentors so that one can be the alternative to the other. In fact, the two mentors are not only helpful to the seminarians but also helpful to the staff.
THE OPENING CEREMONY
After most of the preparation were finished and the house can be resided on June 1981, the first class of twenty seminarians entered Wisma Sanjaya. This is the new chapter of Diocesan education for the priest candidates in the Diocesan of Semarang.
It was planned, the opening ceremony would be held on 4th July 1981, as written on the stone plaque. But, that day was the day of the first fasting day for the Moslem's. Therefore, in order to respect them, the opening ceremony then was held one day before, 3rd July 1981. The following day, on the 4th July 1981, the Cardinal presented a mass at Wisma Sanjaya.
However, the 3rd of July 1981 was a historical day for the Cardinal. It was the day that he received a letter from Rome that give him permission to retire from being the bishop of the Archdiocesan of Semarang.
THE NEXT JOURNEY
After the ceremonial opening the Spiritual Orientation Year at Wisma Sanjaya started. The program for one year is a part of the St. Paul Major Seminary in Jogjakarta. The program is supported by the Sisters of Kongregasi Abdi Kristus. At first, the sister took turn to take care of the kitchen, then Sr. Philippa AK, was replaced by Sr. Antonia AK that worked side by side with Mrs. Sikep. On the 19th December 1995, Sr. Antonia AK received a new assignment in the community of Gedanganak, Ungaran. Sr. Francisca took her place to work to accompany Mrs. Sikep since December 1995. On September 2004, Sr. Borromea replaced Sr. Fransisca. Since then, the operational of Wisma Sanjaya has never had any problems.
The mentors of Wisma Sanjaya in sequence are:
- July 1983 : Father Siswata DP was replacing Father Taruna Sayoga DP who then assigned to work at Mertoyudan Seminary.
- January 1984 : Father Ign. Djonowarsono DP was replacing Father Siswanta DP who then assigned to work at Major Seminary in Jogjakarta.
- July 1990 : Father J. Pujasumarta DP, after prepared himself in the USA was replacing Father Natasusila DP who then became the Parish Priest in Pugeran, Jogjakarta
- September 1992 : Father Fl. Hartosubono DP was replacing Father Ign. Djonowarsono DP who then departed as the Rector of Major Seminary in Pematangsiantar, Sumatra.
- August 1995 : Father JCT Wismapranata DP was replacing Father Fl. Hartosubono DP who then pursuing education of spiritualism in Spokane, USA.
- August 1997: Fr. Fl. Hartosubono, after prepared himself in Spokane, USA was replacing Father J. Pujasumarta DP who then became the Rector of Major Seminary in Kentungan, Yogyakarta.
- August 1998: Father B. Bambang Sumintarto DP replace Father JCT . Wismaparanata DP.
- July 1999: Father R. Sugihartanto DP replace Father B. Bambang Sumintarto DP.
- August 2002: Father Albertus Priyambono DP was replacing Father R. Sugihartanto DP who then became the Parish Priest in Wonogiri.
- September 2003-Agust 2004: Father Sukandar DP live in Jangli.
- July 2004: Father M. Djoko Setya Prakosa DP and Fr. B. Irawan Heryuwono DP were replacing Father Al. Priyambono who then became the Parish Priest in Kebonarum, Klaten.
- December 2004: Father M. Djoko Setya Prakosa DP was replacing Fr. Fl. Hartosubono DP who then departed as the Rector of Major Seminary in Kentungan, Yogyakarta.
- July 2006: Father B. Edy Wiyanto DP was replacing Father B. Irawan Heryuwono DP who then became a local missionaries in Sorong.
- July 2008: Father C. Hadianta DP was replacing Father B. Edy Wiyanto who was later living in “Wisma Mahasiswa Semarang.
- June – July 2009: Fr. B. Irawan Heryuwono DP lived in Jangli for preparing his study of Spirituality in Philipines. March - July 2010: After studying, he lived in Jangli again until having a new assignment as a director in the Spiritual Year of Malang.
At the very beginning it felt that there was a necessity for the diocesan priests candidates to be intensively prepared so that they have stable personalities, deep and solid spiritual lives and the right motivations. Therefore, Justinus Cardinal Darmojuwono DP, who at that time was the Bishop of Semarang, came up with an idea of the Spiritual Orientation Year. The seminarians would be required to take this program after they finish their study in the Minor Seminary before they proceed to Major Seminary.
During this year, the seminarians would be quiet period without any academic requirement load and also they would be brought deeper and deeper to God through work and spiritual activities such as “lectio, oratio, meditatio and contemplatio”. The experience and stability of faith to Christ is the most important thing in this program. Beside that main goal, English education is also taken into consideration as an important addition to enhance the future education.
This idea created pro and contra with all its argumentations, but at the end the Cardinal decided to proceed with the program.
STEP OF PREPARATION
After it was decided that the Spiritual Orientation Year immediately would be held, everything was prepared mostly regarding equipments and teachers.
First of all, a separated place from other education sites was needed so that it could be differed from the Seminary. At last, the Cardinal found a house at 2 Jangli Street, Semarang, that fulfills the requirements for the program. The house was bought by Archdiocesan of Semarang, the Society of Jesuit and “Gerakan Pancasila” as a place for lectures and meetings in order to develop the “Gerakan Pancasila”. But then the house was no longer in used for those purposes. For the time being, the place was functioned to give lessons for the catechist from the military. But, that particular lesson was also then dismissed. “This house is meant to be provided for Wisma Sanjaya”, Cardinal thought. With the consent of the Society of Jesuit and the “Gerakan Pancasila”, then it was endeavored to be completely owned by Archdiocesan of Semarang. This was not a simple matter because the owner of this house was a group of people, not a foundation. But, thank God, at last the house belongs to Archdiocesan of Semarang.
The preparation was then begun for the Spiritual Orientation Year. The original house is the main building that now is used for classed, library, language laboratory, dining room, entertainment room and guest rooms. The lower part is used as the convent and kitchen. First step was to expand the building. New rooms were built. Two rooms for the mentor priests and 26 rooms for the seminarians and for the guests. A praying room that is also a chapel was built, The corridor from the lower part of the seminarians' rooms to the dining room was built in the following few years.
One big event to remember is that for a few years this place had water shortage, it was due to the Drinking Water Company that went on and off. By the financial aid from Sr. Blandina OSF and Sr. Florista OSF, Wisma Sanjaya finally owns a well on the site with fresh, clean water to fulfill all the necessity of Wisma Sanjaya and the neighborhood. Before we had our own well, the seminarians had to commute carrying water from St. Elizabeth Hospital or the Archdiocesan of Semarang office.
Other event that should not be forgotten is the ceremonial of Mother Mary of Fatima Grotto opening that was held by the Cardinal also in December 8th, 1928. This grotto was built by community that was donated by someone from Kudus. Besides to devote the seminarians to Mother Mary, this grotto was also visited by the community who commit to the Novena of Mother Mary of Fatima that are held every 13th of each month starting February to October. The construction of the Mother Mary Grotto kept on progressing due to the kind charity funder who visit the sites regularly to find inspiration to decorate the grotto.
Other than the building, the mentors are prepared to take spiritual classes. At the same time Father Taruna Sayoga DP was officially became the staff mentor. The Spiritual Orientation Year is designed to have dual mentors so that one can be the alternative to the other. In fact, the two mentors are not only helpful to the seminarians but also helpful to the staff.
THE OPENING CEREMONY
After most of the preparation were finished and the house can be resided on June 1981, the first class of twenty seminarians entered Wisma Sanjaya. This is the new chapter of Diocesan education for the priest candidates in the Diocesan of Semarang.
It was planned, the opening ceremony would be held on 4th July 1981, as written on the stone plaque. But, that day was the day of the first fasting day for the Moslem's. Therefore, in order to respect them, the opening ceremony then was held one day before, 3rd July 1981. The following day, on the 4th July 1981, the Cardinal presented a mass at Wisma Sanjaya.
However, the 3rd of July 1981 was a historical day for the Cardinal. It was the day that he received a letter from Rome that give him permission to retire from being the bishop of the Archdiocesan of Semarang.
THE NEXT JOURNEY
After the ceremonial opening the Spiritual Orientation Year at Wisma Sanjaya started. The program for one year is a part of the St. Paul Major Seminary in Jogjakarta. The program is supported by the Sisters of Kongregasi Abdi Kristus. At first, the sister took turn to take care of the kitchen, then Sr. Philippa AK, was replaced by Sr. Antonia AK that worked side by side with Mrs. Sikep. On the 19th December 1995, Sr. Antonia AK received a new assignment in the community of Gedanganak, Ungaran. Sr. Francisca took her place to work to accompany Mrs. Sikep since December 1995. On September 2004, Sr. Borromea replaced Sr. Fransisca. Since then, the operational of Wisma Sanjaya has never had any problems.
The mentors of Wisma Sanjaya in sequence are:
- July 1983 : Father Siswata DP was replacing Father Taruna Sayoga DP who then assigned to work at Mertoyudan Seminary.
- January 1984 : Father Ign. Djonowarsono DP was replacing Father Siswanta DP who then assigned to work at Major Seminary in Jogjakarta.
- July 1990 : Father J. Pujasumarta DP, after prepared himself in the USA was replacing Father Natasusila DP who then became the Parish Priest in Pugeran, Jogjakarta
- September 1992 : Father Fl. Hartosubono DP was replacing Father Ign. Djonowarsono DP who then departed as the Rector of Major Seminary in Pematangsiantar, Sumatra.
- August 1995 : Father JCT Wismapranata DP was replacing Father Fl. Hartosubono DP who then pursuing education of spiritualism in Spokane, USA.
- August 1997: Fr. Fl. Hartosubono, after prepared himself in Spokane, USA was replacing Father J. Pujasumarta DP who then became the Rector of Major Seminary in Kentungan, Yogyakarta.
- August 1998: Father B. Bambang Sumintarto DP replace Father JCT . Wismaparanata DP.
- July 1999: Father R. Sugihartanto DP replace Father B. Bambang Sumintarto DP.
- August 2002: Father Albertus Priyambono DP was replacing Father R. Sugihartanto DP who then became the Parish Priest in Wonogiri.
- September 2003-Agust 2004: Father Sukandar DP live in Jangli.
- July 2004: Father M. Djoko Setya Prakosa DP and Fr. B. Irawan Heryuwono DP were replacing Father Al. Priyambono who then became the Parish Priest in Kebonarum, Klaten.
- December 2004: Father M. Djoko Setya Prakosa DP was replacing Fr. Fl. Hartosubono DP who then departed as the Rector of Major Seminary in Kentungan, Yogyakarta.
- July 2006: Father B. Edy Wiyanto DP was replacing Father B. Irawan Heryuwono DP who then became a local missionaries in Sorong.
- July 2008: Father C. Hadianta DP was replacing Father B. Edy Wiyanto who was later living in “Wisma Mahasiswa Semarang.
- June – July 2009: Fr. B. Irawan Heryuwono DP lived in Jangli for preparing his study of Spirituality in Philipines. March - July 2010: After studying, he lived in Jangli again until having a new assignment as a director in the Spiritual Year of Malang.
- July 2010: Father Paulus Tri Wahyu Widiantoro DP was replacing Father C. Hadianta DP who was later becaming a parish priest in Mertoyudan Magelang.
In addition to the staff is Mr. Purnama who taught English for the seminarians and Sr. Brigid OSF. In 1994-1995, Sr. Rufina OSF was replacing Sr. Brigid OSF to teach English because Sr. Brigid had to take some time off to return to the US. In 1995-2008 Sr. Brigid taught English. In 2007-2008 Mr. Suratno helped to Sr. Brigid OSF to teach English. January 2010, Sr. Susan Ninfa CM was replacing Sr. Brigid OSF because of her problem in health.
At first, Wisma Sanjaya was built to educate the priests candidates for the High Diocesan of Semarang, but along the journey, the diocesan priest candidates from High Diocesan of Purwokerto were also admitted to Wisma Sanjaya as long as the number of rooms are enough to accommodate the seminarians.
Thus, the Spiritual Orientation Year at Wisma Sanjaya proceeds from twenty seminarians at first and followed by the next class year after year. Certainly, the numbers were never the same each year, sometimes more than twenty, sometimes less then twenty. Starting on July 1991, there were seminarians who went straight to Wisma Sanjaya from College or University without going through the education in Mertoyudan Seminary (Minor Seminary).
Thus, the Spiritual Orientation Year at Wisma Sanjaya proceeds from twenty seminarians at first and followed by the next class year after year. Certainly, the numbers were never the same each year, sometimes more than twenty, sometimes less then twenty. Starting on July 1991, there were seminarians who went straight to Wisma Sanjaya from College or University without going through the education in Mertoyudan Seminary (Minor Seminary).
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