Friday, Jakarta Cathedral invites young people to have faith in the midst of crisis

The "Creative Crosswalk" performance presented by Catholic Youth which is a series of Good Friday services at the Jakarta Cathedral Church, Friday (3/4/2026). ANTARA/Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Cathedral Church Imam, Romo Yohanes Deodatus, invites young people to have faith and resilience in the midst of a global crisis in the procession of the 2026 Good Friday service.

Yohanes explained that the Jakarta Cathedral Church in the series of Good Friday services in 2026 will tell the story of Peter in the "Creative Cross Road" performance, where Peter is described as a fisherman who has difficulty while looking for fish, but remains a persistent and trusting person to God.

"When we believe in God, there is always a way. God works in human life, helping us find meaning in all the things we do, so that we do not fall into despair. Hopefully, in the midst of the current global crisis, young people will always have faith to survive in difficult situations," he said in Jakarta on Friday.

Yohans added that in addition to having a fighting spirit, young people also need to have direction and a way of life, and to be people who are always humble and avoid arrogance.

"In the context of our nation, the situation is also heavy and full of challenges, including global challenges that are not easy. Therefore, we are invited to bring our lives closer to God, do not leave Him. God is always waiting and never leaves us. Even though it is full of sin and weakness, we are still loved by God," he said.

In the series of services on Good Friday 2026, the Jakarta Cathedral Church also invites all people to understand the meaning of sacrifice in love for God.

"God loves people so much that he is willing to suffer, that is love. We often talk about love, but are afraid of suffering and sacrificing. Jesus taught that sincere and whole love is a love that is willing to sacrifice completely," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations for the Archdiocese of Jakarta and the Cathedral Church of Susyana Suwadie said that the theme taken in the "Creative Cross Road", the series of Good Friday services today is "Lux in Nihilo", which is a picture of an invitation from young Catholics (OMK) to invite all people out of the crisis of meaning.

"So, inviting the journey of faith to come out of the crisis of meaning, from darkness to light, from emptiness to something bright. Here, the figure shown is the figure of Peter in the process where he falls, then he can rise again in the light of Christ," said Susyana.

The Jakarta Cathedral provides 5,000 seats every day in the series of Holy Tri-Day Easter 2026 services, including for the Good Friday service held today.

The Friday Lent service will be held after the completion of the Way of the Cross three times, namely at 12.00 WIB, 15.00 WIB, and 18.00 WIB, which will be held in a hybrid manner.

Hybrid worship services are provided because the Jakarta Cathedral also wants to facilitate the elderly or sick people so that they cannot attend in person.