ABOUT CIBUBUR – The joy of Easter together is a sign that the hope and joy of faith is still alive. That is what must be brought to the world today.
This was stated by the Chairman of the Indonesian Spiritual Association in the Eternal City (IRRIKA), Father Albertus Gatot Hendrasto, at the Easter event with IRRIKA and PODI (Indonesian Ecumenical Fellowship in Italy) 2026 at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See, Vatican on Sunday, April 12 2026.
Father Gatot said, the Easter Together celebration is celebrated every year. 2026 was held with full empathy for the situation of war and conflict in the Middle East region, as well as various concerns in Indonesia. “Because of that, we need to bring hope and joy to a world that is not going well,” he added.
The Holy Mass started the Easter Together event at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. Source: Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See
With the theme “Let the whole face of the earth be new” (Psalm 104), the series of Easter celebrations were attended by around 300 priests, nuns and lay people, starting with a Eucharistic Celebration led by Father Frans Xavier De Wago OSB (familiarly known as Father Iko) accompanied by 10 other priests.
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In his sermon, Father Xavier invited the congregation to reflect on the Easter experience which brings peace, not merely the removal of life’s burdens and world problems, but peace that strengthens faith, hope and love to carry the cross every day. He also reminded that the ability to love and forgive is the fruit of the Holy Spirit which brings peace.
IRRIKA and PODI
Around 300 people attended the Easter Together event at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. Source: Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See
The IRRIKA Community was formed on February 13 1955, and was originally called IRIKA (Indonesian Fathers’ Association in the Eternal City – Rome). The first chairman of IRIKA was (who later became Indonesia’s first Cardinal) Father Yustinus Darmojuwono Pr.
Because the number of members was increasing and not only priests/clergy, but also nuns/clergy, brothers and sisters, and spread across various cities in Italy, in 1986 the name was changed to IRRIKA (Indonesian Spiritual Association of Spiritual Women in the Eternal City; although now its members not only live in Rome, but throughout Italy).
Sisters and priests dance at the Easter gathering at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. Source: Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See
There is another community called Rehat. Namely the association of priests/clergy and senior sisters/clergy who work both as leaders and leadership elements in the Order and Congregation.
Meanwhile PODI stands for the Indonesian Ecumenical Fellowship in Italy. PODI members are non-clergy/clerical citizens who live in Italy, either working or studying.
Apart from the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Michael Trias Kuncahyono as the host, there were also present at the Easter celebration with the Indonesian Ambassador to Italy Junimart Girsang, along with a number of embassy staff, including Military Attache Marine Colonel (P) Profidol Andre Mantiri Dotulung.
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Give Appreciation
Ambassador Trias Kuncahyono delivered a speech at the Easter Together event at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. Source: Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See
In his remarks after the Eucharist Celebration, Ambassador Michael Trias Kuncahyono expressed his sincere appreciation to all the priests, nuns, brothers and brothers who continue to be actively part of the activities of the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. They took an active part in the Celebration of 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Indonesia and the Holy See, from 2025 to early 2026.
For example, in the Eucharistic Celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican; a special audience with Pope Leo XIV at Sala Clemente, the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace; launching joint Indonesia-Vatican stamps, launching a book on diplomatic relations, and also signing an MOU between the Information Dicastery and KWI.
“All the work of the Indonesian Embassy in the Vatican could not have been possible without the participation of the priests and nuns. Their participation made everything run smoothly and well,” said Ambassador Trias, who specifically expressed his appreciation and thanks to MSF Superior General Father Agustinus Purnama MSF and Padre Marco Solo Kewuta SVD, who work in the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Italian Ambassador Junimart Girsang (4th from left) took part in the Easter gathering at the Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See. Source: Indonesian Embassy in the Holy See
Meanwhile, Ambassador Junimart hopes that the fruits of the Easter spirit – love, peace, patience, mercy, kindness, loyalty, gentleness and self-control – will become guidelines for inter-faith behavior to ignite mutual cooperation and strengthen mutual harmony.
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The series of joint Easter celebration events closed by singing together the song, Indonesia Pusaka by composer Ismail Marzuki. (*/Indonesian Embassy to the Holy See)
