Starting from Bekasi Parish in the eastern part of the bustling commuter city of Bekasi, I took a ride across the city to visit Kranji Parish, located in West Bekasi. Like its predecessor, Kranji Parish belongs to the Bekasi Deanery of the Archdiocese of Jakarta. Interestingly, it was the first parish formed from the expansion of Bekasi Parish. The connection between the two doesn’t end there as both parishes are served by priests from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD – Societas Verbi Divini). I hailed a motorcycle ride to save time navigating the traffic, as it had taken longer than expected to reach the previous church. I wanted to get to this second parish before the rain started again.
With the overcast sky, I was spared from the sun, even though the air in the city could still be hot and humid. The nearly 7-kilometer trip took about 25 minutes, and since I’m not very familiar with Bekasi, I simply enjoyed the ride while taking in the sights along the way. The ride took me onto a narrow road barely wide enough for two cars, and for a moment, I was confused. Checking Google Maps, however, showed that I was already right next to the church. It turned out that the narrow road was actually an entrance to a large school complex, Strada Bhakti Wiyata Catholic School, where the church is also located.
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| St. Michael Statue serves as a striking reminder of God’s victory, with the Archangel standing over evil |
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| St. Michael Church in Kranji was opened in 2008 to serve the growing Catholic community in Bekasi |
In general, most Catholic churches are named according to several themes: Jesus Christ (often under specific titles), Mary the Mother of Jesus (under various titles reflecting her roles or apparitions), and saints who have been canonized for their holiness. However, the patron of Kranji Parish, St. Michael, though often counted among the saints, is actually an angel. More precisely, he is one of the archangels, recognized not only in Christianity but also in Judaism and Islam. The name Michael itself comes from the Hebrew phrase Mī kāʼēl, meaning “Who is like God?”, a rhetorical question that underscores the Archangel’s role in defending God’s sovereignty.
St. Michael the Archangel is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, and he is often recognized as the commander of God’s army and the adversary of Satan. Because of this, he is frequently depicted with a sword in hand. Tradition also refers to him as the angel of death, offering each soul the chance of redemption before passing. For his role in weighing people’s merits on Judgment Day, he is sometimes shown holding a pair of scales. With these important roles, St. Michael has long been regarded as the guardian angel of God’s people and the protector of the Church.
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| The Church is spacious and welcoming, able to gather around 500 worshippers at once |
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| Two angels depicted kneeling at the Cross, drawing the eyes heavenward in prayer |
As mentioned earlier, Kranji Parish was originally part of Bekasi Parish. The initial plan to develop a new church in this area began in 1981, and a year later the Archdiocese of Jakarta acquired a plot of land to build a church and school complex. Kranji Parish was officially established in 1990, with weekly Mass celebrated in the Strada Bhakti Wiyata Catholic School complex until a construction permit for the new church was granted in 2004. On 16 November 2008, the Church of St. Michael was consecrated by Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, S.J., then Archbishop of Jakarta. The design of the building combines contemporary architecture with traditional elements, and the church’s nave together with its second-floor balcony can accommodate up to 500 people.
Since the parish is served by SVD priests, statues of St. Arnold Janssen, founder of the congregation, and St. Joseph Freinademetz, a venerated SVD missionary, are placed inside the church flanking the main entrance. Both saints were canonized together on 5 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II. To emphasize the patron of the church, a grand stained glass window was installed above the altar, depicting two angels kneeling on either side of the Cross. Their posture of reverence highlights the heavenly worship offered to Christ, while also recalling the role of St. Michael as the leader of the angels in defending God’s glory.
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| St. Arnold Janssen and St. Joseph Freinademetz stand watch, inspiring the parish’s missionary spirit |
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| Designed for light and airflow, the church feels both solemn and refreshingly open |
On the side of the church lies a peaceful Stations of the Cross garden, inviting the faithful to walk and pray in quiet reflection. At the front stands a Marian grotto dedicated to Rosa Mystica, featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary under the title Mystical Rose, which recalls the Marian apparitions experienced by Pierina Gilli between 1947 and 1966 in Montichiari and Fontanelle, Italy. Enhancing the sacred atmosphere of the plaza is a striking statue of St. Michael the Archangel, consecrated in 2023, depicting him with sword in hand and Satan crushed beneath his feet—a vivid reminder of the Archangel’s triumph over evil. This devotion is closely linked with a well-known prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, originally composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. The prayer reflects the Church’s deep trust in St. Michael’s protection against evil:
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and all of the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
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| A peaceful path to walk, pray, and remember Christ’s sacrifice by the Way of the Cross Garden |
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| A quiet Marian corner, tender and serene, honoring Our Lady under the title of Mystical Rose. |
After spending the day visiting these two parishes in Bekasi, my journey came to a close at Kranji, where I boarded the KRL commuter line back home. It felt fitting to end the trip at the parish dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, whose presence is a reminder of God’s protection and victory over evil. As the Book of Revelation declares: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven” (Revelation 12:7–8). Standing before the statue of St. Michael earlier that day, I was reminded that faith is not just about worship within church walls, but also about carrying courage and trust in God into daily life. Visiting these communities in Bekasi deepened my appreciation of how each parish, with its own story and patronage, reflects the same universal faith that unites us as one Church.
Paroki Kranji
Gereja Santo Mikael
Location Jl. Bintara Strada No 38, Kranji, West Bekasi, Bekasi, West Java
Weekly Mass Schedule
Saturday, 05.00 PM
Sunday, 06.30 AM, 09.00 AM, 05.00 PM
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