St. Joseph Freinademetz is one of the first Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) sent to China where he worked until his death in 1908.
The Eucharistic celebration commemorated the missionary work accomplished by Joseph Freinademetz. Through it, we draw from his missionary spirit for all SVD in mission today.
Our liturgical celebration was planned with a Chinese atmosphere with décor and dramatic presentation. The drama was presented by “Aletheia”, a drama group in Ledalero. The celebration was attended by the SSpS from various communities in Maumere, Kewapante, and Lela. Members of Flobamora Association, the Chinese Association in Maumere, and other groups also attended. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr. Frans Fao, Pr., of the Vicariate of Maumere Diocese, and Fr. Budi Kleden, SVD, the SVD Provincial Assistant of Ende. Several other priests con-celebrated.
In his homily, Fr. Philipus Tule said that “Joseph Freinademetz lived out and carried out the ‘Missio ad Gentes’ which was asked by Jesus himself; namely, to be sent to make all nations his disciples. With enthusiasm, Joseph Freinademetz left his homeland and proclaimed the Word of God in China. ‘Missio ad Gentes’ means we are sent to be missionaries, to work in all aspects of life, for all people, with enthusiasm and a missionary spirit, as Joseph Freinademetz did. Joseph became a Chinese for the Chinese till the end of his life.” Fr. Tule also highlighted that “learning from the spirituality of Joseph Freinademetz, we realize that missionary work will not succeed and have meaning if the missionaries do not depend on God’s Word, do not have a spirit of love, a spirit to give and to receive. These things were shown to us in the life of Joseph Freinademetz, who was loving and also loved; not only giving of himself, but received among the people whom he served.”
Sr. Christine Edith, SSpS, the SSpS Provincial Leader of Flores East, said in her speech, “St. Joseph Freinademetz is like a beautiful pearl that reflects the salvation and the openness to mission. We have to follow this life example of Joseph Freinademetz in our mission today, not only SVD’s and SSpS’s, but all Christians”.
The coordinator for the celebration of the Centennial Year of the Death of Joseph Freinademetz, Fr. Yanurius Lobo, SVD, said “before this high point of celebration, there were already several activities, for example, animation and awareness programs on ecology and HIV/AIDS issues in the Parishes of Boganatar, Kewapante, Bolawolon, and Magepanda; an animation and introductory program of Joseph Freinademetz to the the Chinese Association, the Flobamora Association, the Association of Pushcart Drivers; and a Recollection Day for the the SVD’s and SSpS’s. Also included in the activities of the centennial year was an exhibition of paintings and handicrafts, like making flower pots and statues, done by the seminarians of Ledalero, as well as a photo display of the various apostolates of the SSpS and SVD.
Fr. Lobo also said that “all these activities got good responses. They were meant to express the spirituality of St. Joseph Freinademetz, who never left China, the place where he was sent.
During the peak celebration, the Ledalero Publishing House released a book on Joseph Freinademetz, titled: “Hidup Mati untuk Cina" means "Life – Death for China”. According to the director of the publishing house, Fr. Georg Kirchberger, SVD, the life of Joseph Freinademetz was colored by three aspects, namely, holiness, missionary spirit, and dedication to the people of China. He said that “Joseph Freinademetz became holy because of his total dedication to the missionary spirit. He became an excellent missionary because he lived the Word of God without compromise. This book highlights the relevance of the life and the apostolate of Joseph Freinademetz for our mission today”.
The book, “Life – Death for China” consists of five parts. The content of the first part is biographical, describing the call and the dedication of Joseph Freinademetz. The second part is about his birth place, Oeis, which has become a center of pilgrimage. The third part of the book is about the situation of the Church, and the SVD in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China Mainland. The fourt part of the book centers on the excellent SVD apostolate in China and Taiwan, especially Fu Jen University. The fifth part tells about the Indonesian SVD who work in Taiwan. Fr. Kirchberger said that “we can’t give the complete picture because of time limits, but what we present here can become a representative example”. Then, he distributed the book to some invitees, like Mr. Beny Chandra, a representative of Chinese in Maumere, Mr. Marsel Gomang, representative of the Flobamora Association, Fr. Frans Tao, of the Vicariate of the Dicese of Maumere, and Sr. Christine Edith, SSpS, the SSpS Provincial Leader of Flores East.
