By Royani Ping, Indonesia
INDONESIA – For 75 years, the Sisters of Saint Augustine of Divine Mercy (OSA) have been a beacon of hope in the remote corners of West Kalimantan’s Diocese of Ketapang.
From healthcare to education, their tireless mission has transformed the lives of countless Indigenous Dayak communities, a legacy now carried forward by Indonesian sisters.
The mission began on Dec 6, 1949, when five Dutch OSA missionary sisters set foot in Ketapang. Tasked with serving an unfamiliar and isolated region, they navigated rapid-filled rivers and muddy roads to deliver healthcare where none existed.
Their efforts soon expanded to education, opening boarding schools that equipped local Dayak girls with essential skills. Many of these young women later joined the congregation, strengthening the OSA presence in Indonesia.
To commemorate the congregation’s 75th anniversary, the Diocese of Ketapang held a Eucharistic celebration attended by prominent Church leaders, including Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi of Ketapang, Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak, Bishop Valentinus Saeng of Sanggau, Vicar General Leonardus Miau of Sintang, and the newly appointed Bishop of Surabaya, Msgr Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo.
In his homily, Bishop Pius paid tribute to the sisters’ unwavering commitment: “The OSA sisters arrived in the Diocese of Ketapang on Dec 6, 1949, embarking on a mission to an unfamiliar and remote region. Even today, reaching these areas requires navigating through rapid-filled rivers and deeply rutted, muddy roads.”
Continue reading in LiCAS.news.
