Java is described by many as historically rich center of spiritual devotion and diversity. Christians in rural Java not cover their halls with boughs of holly, or hang their stockings on for Santa Claus. But like other religions in Java, Christianity and its festivals have fine as no other has been repackaged in a local form.
Hides a 30-minute drive from the massive Buddhist monument Borobudur, within the limits of the Royal Sultanate Jogjakarta, is a prayer, the Javanese Catholics Kulon Progo proudly call home garden; Gua Maria Sendang Sono.
Dubbed "Lourdes in Yogyakarta" Sendang SoNo Stations of the Cross (prayer altars shows the passion of Christ), a cave for the lighting of candles in the prayers to Mother Mary, several outdoor chapels and a sacred source, whose water is believed to have healing properties.
Sendang Sono was founded in 104, as a local Javanese peasant, Barnabas Sarikromo, converted to Catholicism and was baptized on Pentecost day. Against this Sarikromo suffered a mysterious illness that plagued his legs with malodorous wounds. In meditation Sarikromo was to travel to Muntilan, where he met inspired Dutch priest Frans van Lith. The priest used Sarikromo back to health and put him to the Catholic faith.
Since Sarikromo was healed, he passionately told villagers of "the healing power of Jesus Christ" and gathered them together for prayer and Eucharistic celebrations. By December 104 173 inhabitants were baptized in the spring ( " Sendang ") by the sono trees ( Pterocarpusindicus ). This event marks the beginning of the spread of Catholicism in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
Later in 1929 blessed Austrian priest Fr JB Prennthaler the opening of the holy grotto dedicated to Mary. The 180 cm high teakwood statue of Mary in the Sendang Sono grotto was imported from Denmark, manually 30 man walking over the hills Menoreh worn.
The current look Sendang Sono was designed by Fr Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya ( "Romo Mangun"). The architecture follows the natural contours of local hill and a fine blend between Javanese and classical European style display.
But long before Catholicism spread in Kulon Progo, Sendang Sono has long been a sacred place, in other contexts. In earlier centuries Sendang Sono used to be the final resting place of Buddhist monks who traveled on foot of Borobudur Mendut. Before the introduction of Mary, Native followers of indigenous beliefs Kejawen previously believed that the sono trees were haunted by the ghost couple Dewi Lantamsari and Den Bagus Samijo.
"We appreciate the culture as the self-representation of local people. Was introduced before Catholicism So if we encourage people here have their own symbols of redemption. Locals to rethink this traditional symbolism, as we to discuss Catholic ideas, we are rooted more deeply "Father Wahadi from Promasan community, of which Sendang Sono is part.
deeply rooted in the local culture Becoming means that the agricultural policy have long been an important part of Promasan been community. "Since its inception in the community who have had great concern for community development in Promasan fathers" Father Wahadi.
The parish initiatives that have since the 1950s included the introduction of cloves in local plantations, cattle to local farmers on a different basis, and establishing a credit union offers low interest loans to local businesses borrow. The municipality also operates two primary schools, which are tailored to the local agricultural-centered culture.
When asked why the Church so take great measures, the local agriculture and education, Fr Wahadi said in the development of "locals earn here are authorized. The infrastructure is quite simple, the streets get puddled when it rains, and transport is scarce agricultural patterns are here also the weather -.. the land is dry due to lack of irrigation Socioeconomically seen, this is a hard place to live, compared to urban Yogyakarta "
. As the generations pass, the youth of Kulon Progo sign of progress, thanks to the work of the Catholic Church shows. Many have to Yogyakarta City and traveled beyond to pursue higher education, and are successful professionals and business people. On the other hand, many leave for good elsewhere modern life to lead, instead of coming back, the village from which they come
But when they come do it to develop home for a visit -. For example, at Christmas time - it seems to be a sense of pride in what can reach young people from rural Kulon Progo. The holiday season will be an opportunity for the youth - and other locals who can no longer be so young -. to connect to their roots
Christmas and other Christian festivals at Sendang Sono accompanied with hymns of the Gamelan , Gospel wayang Events jathilan and even Catholic versions of salawat (prayer Greetings Mark was celebrated the seven daily hours of prayer, influenced by Islamic greetings to Muhammad during the five daily prayer times).
A crib wayang production was last in 2012, from head puppeteer Fr performed Krijo that both an ordained priest and a royal abdidalem in Yogyakarta Keraton. Unfortunately, there were no such plans for this year, and Fr Wahadi predicts that such productions the Javanese performing arts will be scarce in the future.
"Looks like we'll just celebrate Christmas with the regular church this year the liturgy", Fr Wahadi said. In addition, the local municipality is planning some charity work as construction of houses to do to distribute medical aid or staple for the community members in need.
That is, Fr Wahadi a Catholic salawat in Sendang Sono performed mentions only the night before I met him. While the schedules for such services are rarely published and difficult to predict, there is still a chance to see it, if you happen to visit on a happy day.
An inn is managed by the local community for visitors available Sendang Sono in exchange for donations. By staying in this guest house, you can see the clear star-studded night sky of Kulon Progo, wake up to the tranquil surroundings of Menoreh enjoy hills and celebrate the early morning Eucharist at 6:30 PM.
Many Catholics find Sendang Sono a large square, to draw closer to God and to strengthen their faith. And for non-Catholics like myself, I found it a nice place to find inner peace and reflect on the things that I am grateful in life. To me that sounds like being a great place this Christmas.
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