Dear Brothers,

It is our sad duty to inform you about the passing away of Bro. Ignatius Purwana Surahna on January 7, 2022.

He was born on January 2, 1939 in Solo/Surakarta, Indonesia as eldest in a family of eight children.

He made his first profession on December 8, 1970.

He passed away on January 7, 2022 in Semarang, Indonesia.

As a child Bro. Ignatius wanted to become a policeman. But God led and guided him to another way of life. After graduating from Pangudi Luhur St. Yosef Surakarta High School in 1961, he continued and completed his studies on cultural history at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta.

After three years of working as a teacher, Bro. Purwana felt called to become an FIC Brother. In 1967 he started his initial formation. After completing his novitiate he said his first vows and got a job as teacher at SMP Pangudi Luhur Yogyakarta. His next assignment was to act as principal of Pangudi Luhur Junior High School in Wedi, Klaten in 1975. Bro. Purwana's apostolic work took mainly place in schools, both as principal and as teacher. During his last school apostolate he was the Principal of Pangudi Luhur Junior High School in Sukaraja from 1994 till 1995.

Later on his apostolate changed to taking care of the household. He did this assignment when he lived in the communities of Surakarta, Randusari Semarang, and Syalom Retreat House in Bandungan. In 2008 Bro. Purwana joined the community of senior and elderly brothers of Wisma Bernardus Semarang. Together with his fellow senior/elderly brothers in Wisma Bernardus Bro. Purwana accompanied the lives of the brothers with his prayers. In addition, he also continued to pay attention to domestic works.

In his old age, Bro. Purwana's health condition was often less stable. Many times he felt that there was something uncomfortable with his heart, which forced him several times to undergo hospitalization in Elisabeth hospital in Semarang.

On June 20, 2018 Bro. Purwana got a stroke. He had to undergo treatment in the hospital. The stroke caused physical weakness and he could not walk anymore. Our fellow brothers at Wisma Bernardus helped him in a wheelchair to continue to be involved in the daily activities of the brothers in the Wisma Bernardus community.

Bro. Ignatius Purwana is known as a gentle and humble brother. He likes to pay attention to brothers. As a person who grew up in Surakarta, Bro. Purwana showed his polite attitude and paid close attention to manners in both actions and words. What is amazing about Bro. Purwana is his memory. Although he suffered from a stroke, he was still able to remember the names of the brothers very well. This proves how much bro. Purwana cared about his fellow brothers.

On the evening of December 25, 2021 Bro. Purwana's condition declined. He had difficulties with his respiratory tract and had immediately to be brought to the hospital. After undergoing examinations, the medical team decided that Bro. Purwana should be treated in the ICU room. On Friday, January 8, 2022, a week after his 83rd birthday, Br. Ignatius Purwana Surahna, FIC went to the Father in heaven at 19:45. 

Rest in perfect peace dear Bro. Purwana. The care and tenderness of your heart will always be beautiful to remember. Pray for all of us who are still in this world.