Semarang, Franciscan nuns and writers study "social media" (Photo)

In recent times, the OSF community of Semarang has struggled to foster historical memory among young Catholics. The provincial superior decided to solve the problem through a two-day study group. Two elderly women religious also took part in the initiative.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Between 27 and 28 July last, 26 women religious took part in a workshop dedicated to those who love to write and want to share the experience of the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity (OSF) in Semarang, capital of the province of Central Java.

In recent times, the community has struggled to foster historical memory among young Catholics, increasingly accustomed to new forms of communication and not inclined to read up in books. Sister Rosali Prime Hatmani, provincial superior of the Osf of Semarang, therefore thought to solve the problem through a two-day study group.

The initiative, facilitated by the group for media literacy Words2Share.org, was attended by two elderly sisters and three other middle-aged religious, all with experience in the field of teaching. The rest of the participants were composed of novices and young religious, who are distinguished by their passion and writing skills.

The sisters were encouraged to put their talents into practice, through exercises called "trial and error". During intensive work sessions, the instructors also shared with them some examples of practical experiences. Among the topics covered during the workshop were the "easier to use" social tools and some suggestions to break the "mental block" that precedes the drafting of the texts.

The Franciscans of Penance are dedicated to the education and Christian education of youth, to the assistance of the poor, the homeless and prisoners, to the care of the sick. Belonging to the community of Heythuysen (Netherlands), the first group of 11 religious arrived in the great port city on 5 February 1870, after a tiring journey that lasted over three months. The sisters then settled in Gedangan, a village in the sub-district of Tuntang, where they still carry out preparatory activities for assignments. There are now around 300 Semarang OSF, operating in 47 localities in Indonesia and even in nearby East Timor.