Christmas Pontifical Mass Walked in Order at the Jakarta Cathedral

JAKARTA - The Christmas Pontifical Mass held at the Jakarta Cathedral Church, Thursday, ran smoothly with the implementation of strict congregation arrangements and security procedures from arrival to worship.

Quoting Antara, monitoring at the location showed that the congregation came according to the queue that had been prepared by the committee. All participants, including media personnel, are required to undergo registration and screening processes by filling out their identities and addresses online through scanning the bar code provided by the committee.

On the page of the Jakarta Cathedral, the committee prepared a blue tent with neatly arranged chairs to accommodate the congregation.

A number of Christmas ornaments decorate the area, including a replica of a pine tree and a miniature roof of a brown-colored traditional house, which is used by the congregation to take photos before the mass begins.

One of the parishioners, Hendri, who came from Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra, said he hoped this year's Christmas celebration would bring prosperity to all Indonesian people.

He also prayed for the recovery of residents affected by disasters in North Sumatra, Aceh and West Sumatra, as well as fortitude for families who lost family members or sources of livelihood.

"I'm here as a newcomer. From Siantar with my wife and one son. Pray that we are all prosperous. Also for our brothers in North Sumatra and surrounding areas, whose Christmas this year is simple, because again there is a disaster, yes," said Hendri.

The Christmas Pontifical Mass was led by the Archbishop of Jakarta Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo at 08.30 WIB. This mass is part of the series of Christmas celebrations held by the Jakarta Cathedral Church throughout December 25, 2025.

Jakarta Cathedral Church Public Relations Susyana Suwadie said that his party had made maximum preparations for the implementation of Christmas Mass which was held four times a day.

After the Pontifical Mass, the Jakarta Cathedral Church held a Family Mass at 11.00 WIB which was led by Father Yohanes Deodatus. In the mass, the homily was delivered in a language that was easy for children to understand.

"The homily will be adjusted to the children's language so that they can understand the Christmas theme conveyed. The Christmas theme still refers to the Christmas message together with PGI and KWI, namely God is present to save the family," said Susyana.

The series of Christmas Masses at the Jakarta Cathedral Church will be closed with an afternoon Mass at 18.00 WIB led by Romo Hani Rudi Hartoko.

Susyana added that this year's Christmas message emphasized the importance of the role of the family in facing various social problems in society.

According to him, a number of problems, such as child trafficking, are inseparable from the role and resilience of the family, so that the special message from the Cardinal is expected to be a common reflection for the people.