Mangayubagya Romo Magnis. Selamat Ulang Tahun ke-90

 *Mangayubagya Romo Magnis*

(Happy 90th Birthday)

@pmsusbandono

May 29, 2026

On Friday, May 22, 2026, I saw Father Magnis sitting in the waiting room at Sint Carolus Hospital in the Salemba area. I approached and greeted him. I was surprised to see him, but I felt a little uncomfortable. 

I was worried he would be "hot" and wouldn't be able to attend the "90th Birthday celebration at the Cathedral Church" in four days. Praise God, Alhamdulillah, Father Magnis was present at the birthday celebration.  

I know Father Magnis (very) well. Not personally, but from the books and articles I've read. And also from the television broadcasts I've watched. Father Magnis almost certainly doesn't know me.

Our first encounter took place around 1982/1983. I took an extension class at STF Driyarkara. Father Magnis was one of the lecturers. I've forgotten what he taught. Perhaps "Political Philosophy." It was a long time ago. Although he wasn't very expressive, the substance of his presentation was profound and engaging. We enjoyed the class.

The second meeting was more interesting. I was appointed as moderator for a seminar commemorating the "40th Anniversary of STF Driyarkara" on February 20, 2009. The theme was quite provocative: "Economic Turbulence 2009."

Many prominent figures spoke, and the seminar was divided into several sub-sectors. I was given two top-tier speakers: Father Magnis and Father Bernardinus Herry Priyono (died December 21, 2020).

As an “ice breaker”, when opening the seminar, I threw out a “joke”. It was a bit ticklish, just to relieve the tension amidst the excitement in the Istana Ballroom, Sari Pan Pacific.

"Brothers, I feel _"nervous",_ sitting between 2 Jesuit figures who are experts in their fields. Don't blame me, GR, for feeling like Jesus who was being crucified 2000 years ago, flanked by 2 Jews, on the hill of Golgotha."     

Inevitably, the guests burst out laughing.

I've read at least two books by Father Magnis. Although it was a long time ago, one or two messages have stuck with me.

The first is a collection of three small books, each consisting of a series of articles published in the Kompas daily around 1982. The books, with blue, yellow, and red covers, contain the philosophy of wayang from the perspective of Father Magnis.

One thing I remember is the depiction of wayang characters, which isn't black and white. The Pandavas aren't 100 percent white, and the Kauravas aren't 100 percent black.  

Don't forget that the Pandavas were exiled to the forest because they lost at a game of "dice" (gambling). Also, the "track record" of Arjuna, the warrior who mediated the Pandavas, who was known as a "playboy." That is the human story.

Another legendary book by Father Magnis is "Javanese Ethics," a Philosophical Analysis of Javanese Life Wisdom (1984). This book is a translation and adaptation of Father Magnis's book, "Javanische Weisheit und Ethik" (1981).

At the beginning of his book, Father Magnis wrote about the characteristics of Javanese culture which became the subject of writing this book.

“…Its distinctive feature lies in the extraordinary ability of Javanese culture to allow itself to be flooded by waves of culture coming from outside, and in that flood (it) maintains its authenticity. …” (Chapter 1, Introduction, page 1).

Returning to the celebration of Father Magnis' 90th birthday, it would not be complete without listening to an excerpt of his speech.

"I am truly touched by this welcome. I have now lived in Indonesia for just under 65 years. I have never regretted living in Indonesia."

Hearing that speech, I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if I, as an Indonesian, came from Javanese ethnicity, had brown skin, curly black hair, lived, settled, and became a German citizen, yet could live, feel, act, and speak more than most Germans. But that was Father Magnis, who was "plek-ketiplek" (full-bodied Javanese and Indonesian). I admitted defeat.

As a token of appreciation and gratitude to God Almighty who has given the Indonesian nation a Father Magnis, allow me to quote one of his statements written in the Kompas Daily, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, page 16.

"People don't become happy by seeking happiness. People become happy by striving for the happiness of others."

“Happy 90th Birthday, Father Magnis”

PM Susbandono atau Pak Sus adalah seorang pakar human capital, pembicara terkenal di seminar, radio, podcast, dan penulis best seller.