MY ON-GOING FORMATION AS AN FIC.

Introduction

 

The story began when I received the new assignment to continue my academic study in 2010. My Provincial Superior invited me to his room and told me that the Province gave me an opportunity to pursue continuing study for MA degree. It was really exiting to receive this responsibility but at the same time it was also challenging because I had to do it abroad, in Manila.  It needs serious preparation and serious personal involvement in order to succeed this study. It needs perseverance and hard work to accomplish the task. Besides, the role of spiritual exercise cannot be ignored in the journey of formation in Manila. In the following paragraphs I will share how I learn from my experiences and how I experience God’s accompaniment during my journey of life.

Preparation 

Soon after I received appointment from the Provincial Superior, I began preparing any necessary documents for the enrollment. First, I searched the information from the University website where I wanted to enroll and see the admission requirements. I also asked for some information from people who have experienced studying abroad. I was fortunate that during my preparation, many people helped me. I would like specially thanks to the community of Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoort, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Fathers’ community. They helped me during the preparation of document and entrance test.  They provided me with accommodation during the early time of living in Manila.  Thank God for this wonderful works that happened through the openness and the kindness of these Sisters and Fathers.  

During my study, I decided to stay in a religious Community. By living in this community I can still nurture my community and spiritual life which will support me in Manila.  I stayed in SVD community which is a multicultural community. The members are from many different countries such as Ghana, Indonesia, Philippine, Vanuwatu, German, Poland. This gives me unique experiences on how to live together in the community and to adapt myself to different cultures and customs. 

After a long preparation and quite tough university entrance test, I was officially accepted in De La Salle University in 2011 and started the academic course on 6 January 2011. It is really a precious and exciting opportunity I receive from the Congregation to continue the formation of my life. However it is also a challenging task to study in other countries like the Philippine. 

The challenge of studying abroad

Why is studying abroad challenging? In my experience, it is challenging because I have to adjust to the new culture in the country that I had never visited before. Living in a new culture needs openness to accept and to adjust to the new culture and situation. I experienced that it was not really easy to adjust to the local culture. For example was to understand the communication with the local people and how they deal with the disagreement. They avoid open disagreement with other people. I have to adjust to this situation so that it helps me in my relationship with others and to feel at home with the environment. Here I learned to open myself to the different needs of the people around me and embrace them into my life.

Another challenge is that it requires big personal responsibilities to accomplish it. Receiving this task demands self – perseverance and strong will to work hard. During my thesis writing, I found it was really challenging. I need long time to finish it. There was a temptation to leave the task and did other interesting activities such as traveling and visiting places in the Philippine and enjoy some gathering with other friends were apparent especially when there was no ideas to write. However, I chose to continue working though sometimes there was no significant result. Self-perseverance is the main factor which determines success in my study. My faithfulness to live the challenging time and continuously move forwards enables me to finish this task. 

My spiritual life experiences

As I said before I decided to stay in SVD community. By living in religious community, it allowed me to grow in spiritual life.  The community provides opportunity to maintain the prayer life and Eucharistic celebration. The regular daily schedule for communal prayer and Eucharistic celebration really helped me to nurture my spiritual life. The regular spiritual exercises also helped me to focus on my life and mission to accomplish my study in De La Salle. The spiritual exercises help me to go through the challenging time. Prayer and meditation helped me to focus on my life purpose and to remain perseverance in time of difficulty because I believed that I was not alone. God who is Love never leaves me alone in time of trouble.

The experience of God’s presence during my study in De La Salle University is basic for me as a religious brother. The challenging academic life that I experience during my study in Manila has strengthened my relationship with Him. Through the Rosary prayer that I practiced every day and short meditation during the Eucharistic celebration I can feel God’s accompaniment in my life. Through the Rosary prayer I feel the presence of Mother Mary who always takes care of my life and vocation. All this experiences contribute to the development of my faith and my vocation as FIC Brother. 

Personal self-awareness

Another aspect that I realize is that I grow in my identity as FIC Brothers. Living among SVD Fathers and Brothers also encourage me to see into their identity as SVD Father and Brothers. I have the opportunity to taste their spirituality. The brotherhood and the community life are values that I learn from the community. At the same time I also see into myself and confirm my identity as FIC brother. I become more aware of myself as an FIC and learn to live together with other people with similar or even the same spirit as religious.

I became more familiar with my strength and deficiency. I have to acknowledge that I need longer time to write my thesis. Many times it caused frustration. In one side I want to finish it soon but in other side I have to accept the reality that I cannot do it. This experience taught me to accept my weaknesses.  In other words, I do not only learning the academics but I also explore my strength and my weaknesses. I become more realistic with myself and accept my own limits. At the same time, I learn how to trust in God who is Love. I entrust my life with its strength and weaknesses to God and believe that He never leaves me alone in the challenging time. This awareness gives me new hopes and encouragement to continue my effort to succeed in this study.

Closing

To the FIC Congregation I would like to thank for the opportunity to further my academic study. Especially I would like to thank the Brothers Bernardus Community and Candi Community for special prayer and support during my study. The constant prayer of the Brothers gives me strength and assurance that I am not alone doing my assignment. Thanks to the Catholic Trade SVD Communities who allows me to stay in the community and always encourage me during my study. 

The power of prayer and spiritual exercises was prominent in my experiences. Personal prayer and personal spiritual exercises strengthen and give me patience when I had to face difficulties during my study in Manila. Thanks to the Lord and Mother Mary for the constant protection in my life journey. May God and Mother Mary continue to accompany me to continue this journey as an FIC Brother. God bless us all.

Semarang, 25 June 2015