Sastra Inggris

Yogyakarta — On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Faculty of Letters at Sanata Dharma University commemorated its 32nd Dies Natalis with a Eucharistic celebration at the St. Robertus Bellarminus Chapel, Sanata Dharma University. Carrying the theme “Humaniora Digital: Peluang, Tantangan, dan Masa Depan” (Digital Humanities: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Future), the celebration served as both a spiritual and intellectual reflection on the faculty’s ongoing role in a rapidly changing world. The Mass was presided over by Romo Heri Setyawan, S.J., S.S., M.A. as the main celebrant and Romo FX. Murti Hadi Wijayanto, S.J. as a concelebrant.

A joyful opening hymn, “Dengan Gembira,” welcomed the academic community, followed by scriptural readings that resonated deeply with the theme. The first reading from 1 Corinthians 10:23–33 reminded listeners, "I have the right to do anything," you say, but not everything is beneficial (‘Segala sesuatu diperbolehkan,’ benar, tetapi tidak semuanya berguna), while the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:1–6 offered a call to righteousness: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (“Berbahagialah orang yang lapar dan haus akan kebenaran, karena mereka akan dipuaskan”). These verses underscored the importance of discernment and ethical depth amidst the vast freedom and noise of the digital era.

What set this Eucharist apart was the homily by Romo Murti, delivered through the unique medium of a self-written short story. The narrative told of Arya and Cinta Sastra, two characters exploring the potential of resurrecting the dead using photos and AI, a digital “jelangkung” of the millennial age. Using an old family photo of Romo Yan van der Boschen, Cinta engages with a software that allows her to interact with the digital ghost. As the questions progress from simple to philosophical, the answers grow more cryptic, ending with a haunting silence, the moment Cinta realizes it was the last time she would see Arya. The story served as both a metaphor for our fragile digital boundaries and a reflection on the human desire to transcend death through technology. According to Dr. Elisa Dwi Wardani, S.S., M.Hum., the chair of this year’s Dies Natalis committee, “Cerpen yang dibacakan Romo Murti benar-benar menggugah. Ia tidak hanya membawakan cerita, tetapi mengajak kita berefleksi tentang bagaimana kita memaknai kemajuan teknologi dalam kehidupan manusia.” The blend of theology, literature, and digital discourse created a homily that was contemplative yet entirely relevant to the faculty's core spirit.

Following the Prayers of the Faithful and Holy Communion, the Dean of the Faculty of Letters, Dr. Yoseph Yapi Taum, M.Hum., offered closing remarks filled with gratitude and vision. He thanked both Romo Heri and Romo Murti for their spiritual leadership and highlighted the symbolic power of the homily. “Dies is not merely an annual ritual,” he stated, “but a holy resting place, like an oasis in the desert, where we draw new strength and wisdom.” Reflecting on the faculty’s journey, he stressed that the challenge of digital transformation should not erode the faculty’s literary and humanistic identity, but rather deepen it. This message echoed Romo Heri's earlier reflection: “Selama 32 tahun ini, Fakultas Sastra telah melewati banyak tantangan dan perubahan zaman. Ini menandakan bahwa fakultas kita mampu ‘berenang di arus zaman’, mampu menyesuaikan diri dan tetap relevan.” He also praised the students’ growing involvement in conferences, research, and community engagement as signs that the faculty’s humanities-based foundation remains strong and adaptable.

Both the liturgy and the reflections delivered during the event made it clear that this year’s Dies Natalis was more than a formal ritual. It served as a reminder of the faculty's resilient legacy and evolving mission in the digital age. As Ma’am Elisa concluded, the Mass was meant to inspire a deeper sense of collective renewal: “We want this celebration to be more than ceremonial, it’s a source of new spirit for all of us in the Faculty of Letters.” The event successfully bridged tradition and transformation, offering both a moment to look back with gratitude and a renewed commitment to move forward with relevance, integrity, and imagination.

The Mass concluded with an atmosphere of reflection and thanksgiving, marking not just a celebration of years past but also a commitment to journey forward with wisdom, humanity, and hope. (RBP & DML)