On September 24 2021, all friars in the Community of the Convent of Saint Bonaventure, Yogyakarta (Bitora) celebrate the Guardianate Day by holding an in-depth study of health materials presented by Fr. Bambang, OFM who served as a doctor at the Saint Yosep Boro Hospital. Before the activity began, the friars held a worship and eucharist was led by Fr. Wolfan Apriliano, OFM. Afterward, the friars were directed to deepen the material guided by Fr. Sipri, OFM as moderator and Fr. Bambang, OFM as presenters.
“Healthy it’s not just not being sick,” said Fr. Bambang in his opening sentence to start the activity. He explained that health is a perfect condition for a human being, both physically and mentally. Therefore, in the life of every human being, the healthy condition itself is highly coveted by everyone.
In relation to the life of Franciscans, he explained the meaning of health according to the Franciscan spirituality. Previously, he explained how Franciscan life is often misunderstood by some people, that poor life has a relationship with the words dirty and lazy. “Poverty which is healthy in accord with Franciscan spirituality is to build balance and harmony with God’s own will,” said Fr. Bambang. Thus, the people’s mindset about the poor way of life of a Franciscan who is identified as dirty and lazy actually deviates from the view of Franciscan spirituality. He added, “Actually the poor as our way of life is devoted to prayer and holy worship”.
In the creation story, Fr. Bambang said that health conditions can be seen in the situation in the garden of Eden, when everything that was created was in good condition. “Pain is a gift. So, brothers and sisters, don’t feel restless, despair, complain, and grumble, but accept the “sick sister” with joy, because, when we are sick, the body tries to give us a warning that something is wrong with us. Then, with pain, we are trained to be stronger, steadfast, and patient in joy. to face the gift of sickness from our body brethren,” said Fr. Bambang at the end of the study. It did not stop there, Mr. Bambang’s togetherness with all members of the Bitora community then continued with dinner and recreation in the Bitora hall.
Even though the activities was carried out in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of all friars of the Bitora community to be more vigilant in order to avoid the threat of the coronavirus outbreak. Pace e bene.
Fr. Valentino Elvis Halyo
