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Saint Mary's Way

  Last month, I took part in a Saint Mary’s Way activity assigned by my school. My group and I visited the elderly women who lived at the Nazareth Elderly Orphanage. Early in the morning, we gathered at school with great excitement. Some of my friends prepared food, fruits, and materials for our activities. We left together using the school car, and during the trip, we talked happily about what we were going to do. The atmosphere was warm, full of laughter, and very enthusiastic. We were also accompanied by two teachers, Mr. Antonius Sigit Novianto and Mrs. Maria Immas Primaningtyas, who guided us throughout the activity.

  When we arrived at the orphanage, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and the elderly women there. Many of them were already sitting in the main room waiting for us. Their bright smiles made us feel comfortable and removed all the awkwardness. We greeted them one by one, and some of them even held our hands gently while asking about our names, our school, and our age.

  As we introduced ourselves, we discovered that each woman had a unique background. Some were over 90 years old but still healthy and cheerful. Others came from different cities such as Lampung and Yogyakarta. We even met a woman originally from Croatia who moved to Indonesia when she was young to follow her husband. Hearing their life stories made us realize how long and colorful their journeys had been.

  We began the activity with a prayer led by one of my friends. After that, we sang old religious songs together to create a peaceful atmosphere. One woman sang a Chinese song she had known since she was young. The soft voices of the elderly mixed with ours, creating a touching and heartwarming moment, as if we were one big family.

  Next, we played a simple ball-passing game. Whoever caught the ball had to answer a question or share a story. The game brought laughter and joy to the whole room. Many of the women shared stories about their youth, their past jobs, their families, and even funny memories that made us laugh. One woman was very energetic and kept asking for the ball again because she wanted to keep talking.

  Besides playing, we also prepared food together. Some of us cut dragon fruit, papaya, and watermelon, while others arranged plates or handed out chocolate banana bread. We fed the women gently to make sure they felt comfortable. Seeing them smile as they enjoyed the food made us truly happy. It taught us that serving others does not always require big actions—small acts done with sincerity can mean a lot.

  After eating, we sang more religious songs. These songs brought back memories for many of the women. Some of them closed their eyes while listening, as if remembering their younger days. It was a peaceful and emotional moment, and it made us realize how meaningful our presence was for them.

  At the end of the activity, we asked the women to write messages for today’s teenagers. Some wrote about the importance of discipline and hard work. Others reminded us to respect our parents and avoid bad influences. Many also advised us to stay close to God and never give up in life. Their messages felt very valuable, like advice from a grandmother to her grandchildren.

  Finally, it was time to say goodbye. We played a farewell song and shook hands with the elderly women one by one. Some of them shed tears and hugged us tightly. The farewell moment was emotional and touching, and even some of my friends felt teary. It was hard to leave after experiencing such warmth together.

  This Saint Mary’s Way activity gave us a big impact. We learned that serving others is not only about giving, but also about being present, listening, and sharing love. We went home with warmer hearts, full of gratitude, and many life lessons that we could never learn from textbooks. I hope this activity can continue so more students can experience something meaningful like this. I also hope I can always remember the messages given by the elderly women. That was the end of my Saint Mary’s Way experience. Thank you.