The head of Indonesia’s bishops’ conference urged former seminarians to seek happiness in their chosen vocations, saying fulfillment comes not from status or recognition but from within.
Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC, delivered the message during a June 20 reunion of Mertoyudan Minor Seminary alumni at Graha Pemuda in the Jakarta Cathedral complex.
The bishop of Bandung spoke during a Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration attended by approximately 150 alumni of the seminary in Magelang, Central Java. While some became priests, others pursued careers in education, business, government, civil society, and other fields.
“Many people offer different paths to happiness. The path each person discovers is his or her own path to happiness,” Bishop Anton said in his homily.
He said happiness is not determined by position, vocation, or external recognition.
With his characteristic humor, he invited participants to reflect on the purpose behind the lives they have chosen.
“What is the point of becoming a priest if you are not happy? What is the point of becoming a head representative if you are not happy? What is the point of remaining single if you are not happy?” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the congregation.
“Whatever your situation—whether you are single, a priest, or something else—the important thing is to be happy. And happiness must come from what is within yourself,” he said.
Bishop Anton also reflected on the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” popularized by Bobby McFerrin, as he spoke about anxiety and uncertainty.
“People become unhappy because they worry too much about things that have not yet happened,” he said.
He acknowledged that concerns about the future can be reasonable, especially when people feel unprepared for what lies ahead. Excessive worry, however, only adds to existing burdens.
“Everyone has problems in life. But when we worry, the number of problems doubles. The problem itself remains, and then we add worry on top of it. Yet worry does not change reality. What changes reality is effort and hard work,” he said.
Founded in 1912, Mertoyudan Seminary is among Indonesia’s oldest institutions for priestly formation. Its alumni include priests, bishops, academics, professionals, community leaders, and public servants.
The reunion was organized with support from the Mertoyudan Seminary Alumni Association (IASM) under the theme Cor Unum et Anima Una — one heart and one soul.
IASM chairman Damar Juniarto said the gathering aimed to strengthen fraternity among alumni and serve as a model for similar initiatives in other regions.
“We want to foster a shared spirit of strengthening fraternity among Mertoyudan Seminary alumni. That is why we chose the theme Cor Unum et Anima Una—one heart and one soul,” he said.
The event also featured a forum titled “Mertoyudan Seminary’s Contribution of Ideas for Indonesia: Examining Indonesia’s Current Situation to Safeguard the Future of the Church and the Nation.”
Participating in the discussion were Prof. Sulistyowati Irianto, Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko, Stefanus Pramono, and Aloysius Dewanto Handoko.
The forum reflected the varied roles former seminarians now hold in Indonesian society and the continuing contribution of Mertoyudan alumni to the life of the Church and the nation.
Bishop Anton closed his reflection with the same message that framed his homily.
“Live happily, wherever you are and whatever circumstances you may face.”
