Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kupang (Agenzia Fides) – In the western part of the island of Timor, in Indonesian territory, a center for spirituality and prayer is little by little being heard about in the Diocese of Kupang and in others, offering the land of Indonesia an extraordinary experience of consecrated life: the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which began one year ago and has today become a point of reference for all those in search of an experience of intense prayer or spiritual retreat. “The presence of the Benedictines is a sign of God’s Love. This monastery will bring abundant fruit and graces for the Indonesian Church,” the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli said.
The monastery began in Kupang after a long period of contact with the Shrine of Santa Maria delle Graziein Orte (Viterbo), Italy, where the Benedictine Nuns have lived for 300 years. Some years back, after the visit of a sister to Indonesia, several Indonesian youth decided to enter the order. Thus, after a period of formation, discernment, and organization lasting nearly 13 years, they received the approval of the Bishop of Kupang, His Excellency Petrus Turang, and were able to open the first Benedictine Monastery in the country with the highest Islamic population in the world.
The monastery is located on a hill not far from the sea. Sister Veronica Maria, the first Indonesian Benedictine, while recognizing the initial difficulties with a cloistered life that is not always understood by the people, says that the life of the five Indonesian Benedictine Sisters comes from God’s grace, prayer, accepting visitors, making the charism of Saint Benedict known in the local Church.
“We live in the spirit of Saint Benedict, according to the precept ‘Ora et Labora,’” says Sister Veronica, “according to the Liturgy of the Hours and manual labor such as embroidery, working in the garden, or other artisan activities.” The monastery hopes to grow as a center for spirituality and liturgical culture, welcoming the new vocations to cloistered life, who will come. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2008)
