For 75 years, the Sisters of Saint Augustine of Divine Mercy (OSA) have been a beacon of hope in the remote corners of West Kalimantan’s Diocese of Ketapang.
From healthcare to education, their tireless mission has transformed the lives of countless Indigenous Dayak communities, a legacy now carried forward by Indonesian sisters.
The mission began on Dec. 6, 1949, when five Dutch OSA missionary sisters set foot in Ketapang. Tasked with serving an unfamiliar and isolated region, they navigated rapid-filled rivers and muddy roads to deliver healthcare where none existed.
Their efforts soon expanded to education, opening boarding schools that equipped local Dayak girls with essential skills. Many of these young women later joined the congregation, strengthening the OSA presence in Indonesia.
To commemorate the congregation’s 75th anniversary, the Diocese of Ketapang held a Eucharistic celebration attended by prominent Church leaders, including Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi of Ketapang, Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak, Bishop Valentinus Saeng of Sanggau, Vicar General Leonardus Miau of Sintang, and the newly appointed Bishop of Surabaya, Mgr. Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo.
In his homily, Bishop Pius paid tribute to the sisters’ unwavering commitment: “The OSA sisters arrived in the Diocese of Ketapang on December 6, 1949, embarking on a mission to an unfamiliar and remote region. Even today, reaching these areas requires navigating through rapid-filled rivers and deeply rutted, muddy roads.”
Bishop Pius recalled a pastoral journey in 2017, when he traveled to some of the most isolated parts of the diocese. The only way in was through treacherous off-road paths and rivers riddled with hidden rock traps. Yet, despite these obstacles, the OSA sisters remained steadfast, leaving an indelible mark on the diocese’s pastoral mission.
Unlike larger religious congregations in Indonesia, the OSA missionary sisters numbered just 21. After decades of service, they gradually returned to the Netherlands to retire. The last to leave Ketapang was Sr. Dionne Appelman, now 84 years old.
In December 2024, Sr. Appelman, alongside several companions from the Netherlands, returned to Ketapang to celebrate the mission’s 75th anniversary. Reflecting on the congregation’s enduring impact, she said, “I am overjoyed to see that the seeds of religious vocations and pastoral healthcare work we planted in 1949 have flourished and yielded great results.”
Though the Dutch missionaries have departed, their legacy lives on through indigenous Indonesian OSA sisters who now lead the congregation’s work across the country.
“For 75 years, the Sisters of Saint Augustine have served in Indonesia, particularly in the pastoral region of the Diocese of Ketapang. This has been a long and challenging journey, filled with joys and hardships, immense sacrifices, and unwavering dedication. What began with 21 Dutch missionary sisters is now carried forward by indigenous Indonesian OSA sisters,” said Sr. Ignatia OSA, the congregation’s General Superior in Indonesia.
She added, “The efforts of our pioneering sisters have borne fruit, and I hope Sr. Dionne Appelman—the last Dutch missionary to leave Indonesia—can see how their legacy has grown and flourished.”
Today, OSA sisters continue to serve across Indonesia, including:
- West Kalimantan: Ketapang, Pontianak, Sintang, and Sanggau dioceses
- Java: Jakarta, Malang, and Surabaya dioceses
- Papua: Manokwari-Sorong diocese
As they mark this milestone, the Sisters of Saint Augustine remain committed to their mission, ensuring the seeds planted 75 years ago continue to bear fruit in the years to come.
