The Kanisius Foundation, one of Indonesia’s oldest Catholic educational institutions, marked its 107th anniversary this October, reaffirming its mission to provide quality, faith-based education for children across Central Java — especially those in rural communities.
Founded in 1918 by Dutch Jesuit missionaries led by Fr. Fransiskus van Lith, SJ, in Muntilan—known as the “Bethlehem of Java”—the Foundation has become a cornerstone of Catholic education in the region.
It began as Canisius Vereniging (Canisius Association) and later became Canisius Stichting (Canisius Foundation) in 1927. In 1940, ownership was transferred to the Apostolic Vicariate of Semarang, now the Archdiocese of Semarang.
“The entire Kanisius family gives thanks for God’s continuous guidance and blessings through the years,” said Fr. Johanes Heru Hendarto, SJ, chairman of the Central Kanisius Foundation.
A century of Catholic education
Kanisius schools have long served as bridges of opportunity for children from ordinary families. Today, the Foundation runs 186 schools across Central Java Province, employing 1,076 teachers and serving 17,892 students.
Most campuses are located in rural communities, staying true to the founders’ goal “to provide educational opportunities for the children of the common people in both villages and cities who otherwise would not have access to education.”
The 107th anniversary carried the theme “Kanisius Excellent, Intelligent, Safe, and Caring.” Fr. Heru said the theme not only celebrates more than a century of service but also looks ahead to the Foundation’s 110th year in 2028, which will coincide with Indonesia’s 100th anniversary of the Youth Pledge (Sumpah Pemuda).
“Intelligent refers to individuals with broad and deep insight, capable of critical and reflective thinking,” he said. “Safe represents individuals who nurture and protect fraternity within diverse communities, living in peace with themselves and others.
Caring embodies a spirit of compassion and being ‘men and women for others,’ especially in helping those most in need and in caring for the Earth as our common home.”
Thanksgiving celebrations and community spirit
In the city of Surakarta, teachers, staff, and students from various Kanisius schools gathered for a Thanksgiving Mass on October 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Purbayan.
In his homily, Fr. Joseph Situmorang, head of the Kanisius Foundation’s Surakarta branch, reminded educators to preserve the discipline and cleanliness that characterized the educational vision of Fr. van Lith.
He urged teachers “to accompany students to practice discipline and nurture a sense of care for maintaining school cleanliness and environment.”
Several Kanisius schools held their own creative tributes. At Kanisius Murukan Elementary School in Klaten, the community celebrated with a tumpeng cutting, art performances, games, and exhibitions.
The event also featured a school clean-up drive — an activity meant to embody the Foundation’s value of stewardship.
Meanwhile, Kanisius Bayat Elementary School marked the anniversary alongside World Food Day.
Inspired by Laudato Si’, students created a “gunungan” (mountain-shaped offering) filled with local produce, which they distributed to nearby residents as a symbol of gratitude and sharing.
