Fr. Andrew Batayola, OSA, Prior Provincial, led the canonical visitation from July 1 to 4, 2025, for the renewal of the Augustinian residence in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. He was accompanied by Fr. Donato Ellezar, OSA, Chairman of the Commission on Mission and Parish Ministry, Fr. John Ion Miranda, OSA and Fr. Nestor Bandalan, Jr., OSA of the Provincialate Offices. The four-day visitation provided an opportunity to engage more deeply into the life and mission apostolates of the Province in West Kalimantan in collaboration with the friars of the Vicariate of Christus Totus-Papua.

Ketapang is currently home to three solemnly professed friars, Fr. Yohannis Salomon Sedik, OSA, Superior of the community and Parish Priest of Sukadana, Fr. Fransiskus Mba’a, OSA, and Fr. Alberto Jr. Bartiana, OSA; they reside at the Santo Niño Augustinian Residence. With the friars in the residence is Fray Isidorus Della Kambuaya, OSA, a simple professed friar undergoing pastoral exposure. The friars share their apostolic work in close collaboration with the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Mercy in Ketapang and in the Parish Church in Sukadana, another town in West Kalimantan.

The friars were welcomed by Sr. Ignatia Mariate Tuti, OSA, Superior of the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Mercy in Ketapang, together with members of her community on July 1. They toured the Junior and Senior High School departments and visited the congregation’s hospital and infirmary. The friars in Ketapang provide pastoral care and sacramental ministry through the school and hospital chaplaincy in collaboration with the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Mercy.

A visitation of renewal was conducted in the morning of July 2 at the Santo Niño Residence in Ketapang. One of the difficulties identified was the significant distance between the friars’ residence in Ketapang and the Parish Church and mission stations in Sukadana, which affects the community life of the friars. In response, both the friars and the bishop expressed hope for a strengthened and more stable Augustinian presence in the mission areas. The witness of the friars nevertheless has borne fruit, with local vocations from the region—a clear sign of a vibrant and fruitful missionary endeavors.

Following the canonical visitation, the friars, together with Sr. Ignatia and two of the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Love of Cebu paid a courtesy visit to Most Rev. Pius Riana Prapdi, DD, Bishop of Ketapang. During the meeting, the bishop emphasized the essential role of both the active and contemplative forms of religious life, likening them to the two lungs of the body which are vital in breathing life into the Church.

The friars traveled to Sukadana, West Kalimantan on July 3 to visit the mission stations under the Emmanuel Parish Church. One of the key stops was Manjau, home to a flourishing Catholic community and to three Augustinian contemplative nuns Cebu, led by Sr. Maribeth Montuya, OSA. The visit was marked by moments of shared prayer, dialogue, the celebration of the Eucharist, and a fraternal meal. The nuns joyfully spoke of their ministry, deeply rooted in listening, spiritual accompaniment, and communal liturgical life.

In the evening a meeting was held with parishioners of Emmanuel Catholic Church. The lay faithful expressed gratitude for the presence and support of the Augustinian friars. They are happy as well with the vocations to the religious life that are emerging from their Parish. They shared their desire for pastoral support and programs within the Parish. The Augustinian presence indeed offers spiritual renewal and hope to the people.

On the final day of the visitation, July 4, a dialogue was held between the Prior Provincial and the Council of the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Mercy. This marks a significant step toward further collaboration between the friars and the sisters in the years ahead.

The visitation concluded with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass, celebrated in honor of two momentous events: the election of Pope Leo XIV in the person of the former Prior General of the Order, Fr. Robert Prevost, OSA and the episcopal ordination of H. E. Most Rev. Bernardus Baru, OSA, Bishop of the Diocese of Timika in Papua, New Guinea. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by H. E. Most Rev. Pius Riana Prapdi, DD, the Augustinian sisters, and lay collaborators.

For more photos, visit Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines Facebook page.