Catholics planted one hundred agarwood saplings in the garden and compound of St. Peter Canisius Minor Seminary in Magelang, Central Java, at the weekend as part of a one-year-long celebration to mark its upcoming hundredth anniversary. The celebration began last month with a monthly novena and Holy Mass. The second novena and Holy Mass were held on Sunday. Around 400 Catholics, including the seminarians’ parents and families, attended the event which was followed by the agarwood saplings planting. Coordinator of the plantation program, Robertus Herlambang, said agarwood was chosen because it has special meanings. “It is a rare tree and grows only in certain parts of Indonesia. Economically, it is an expensive tree because of its fragrance,” he added. He said agarwood could be interpreted as a manifestation of Jesus Christ. “Agarwood is a type of tree which is strong and willing to suffer. It is like Jesus Christ,” he asserted. Carmelite Bishop Herman Joseph Sahadat Pandoyoputro of Malang sent a written homily, read by Father Donatus Triman Andi Wibowo, vicar general of the diocese of Malang. The homily maintained that the Church’s mission today is not only baptizing people but also promoting local virtues, loving the environment and enlivening plurality. “It starts from the family. A family that promotes and respects plurality will be able to produce human beings who respect the local virtues and love the environment,” the prelate said. The Church, he added, “is a community of people who love the environment and uphold the values of pluralism.” The seminary was established on May 30, 1912. Related Reports: Tree Planting Protects School, Raises Students´ Environmental Awareness ’Green’ school clinches national award
