Catholics in Indonesia turn historic hill into ecological prayer park

Bukit Wayang, locally known as Gumuk Wayang or Puppet Hill, is a historic hill in Ngablak, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Jul 15, 2026

Parishioners form a human chain to carry construction materials up Bukit Wayang during a community workday for the prayer park in Ngablak, Central Java, Indonesia, on July 11, 2026. Photo by Mathias Hariyadi

Today, the hill is entering a new chapter as it is transformed into the Bukit Wayang Prayer Park, an initiative led by Father Stephanus Koko Pujiwahyulistyono, Pr., parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

The site occupies a strategic location above the Ngablak Parish parking area, which also serves as the departure point for tourists taking jeep tours to Mount Telomoyo. Mount Merbabu towers behind the hill, while Mount Andong and Mount Telomoyo dominate the panoramic view in front

Just a short walk away are Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church of Ngablak, Pendowo Catholic Junior High School and the “Lintang Samodra” convent of the Sisters of Charity of St. Carolus Borromeus

On Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, dozens of parishioners from various outstations, or stasi, gathered at Bukit Wayang — not for sightseeing, but for a community workday to help build the prayer park

Along the steep pathway to the summit, volunteers formed a human chain, passing bricks, roof tiles, cement, and other construction materials hand to hand up the hillside

Women washed roof tiles in preparation for repainting, while men installed roofing over several Stations of the Cross and reinforced the walking paths

There were no wages and no contracts, only a shared desire to serve the Church

“Today, we willingly take a day off from our regular jobs. We come together in solidarity to build this place for the glory of God,” Father Koko Puji said as he encouraged the volunteers working on the hill

Father Koko was not merely supervising the work. Equipped with gardening tools at his waist, he personally prepared areas where trees would later be planted to create a greener environment

He told LiCAS News that coffee plants, fruit trees, and other vegetation would line the pilgrimage route, making the area not only a place for prayer but also a peaceful ecological sanctuary in harmony with nature

His vision is for pilgrims to experience both silence and the beauty of God’s creation while praying the Stations of the Cross on their journey to the hilltop

To help realize the master plan, Father Koko invited Wening, an architecture graduate of Yogyakarta University of Technology and a native of Pakis Outstation, to design the overall layout of the prayer park

“I feel honored and challenged to contribute to the architectural design of this prayer park,” Wening said

Fr Koko hopes the prayer park will be completed before he concludes his ministry at Ngablak Parish in August

After serving for seven years among Catholic communities on the slopes of Mount Merbabu, the diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Semarang, originally from Muntilan Parish, has been assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kebondalem, Semarang City

During his homily at Pakis Outstation on Sunday, July 12, he reflected on his pastoral calling

“Many people assume I would be happier serving in a city parish. In fact, I truly love ministering in rural communities. I even once hoped to be sent to Papua. But our bishop has asked me to serve at Kebondalem Parish, and I gladly obey,” he said

Father Koko’s close relationship with his parishioners was evident throughout the workday

Most Catholics in Ngablak make their living by cultivating vegetables, roses, avocados, and other highland crops. The spirit of gotong royong, or mutual cooperation, remains deeply rooted in their daily lives

No one complained despite repeatedly carrying heavy construction materials up the hillside. Simple meals of boiled cassava, slondok crackers made from cassava, sweet tea, fresh orange juice, and packed rice provided enough energy to sustain the volunteers

When completed, pilgrims will walk the 14 Stations of the Cross leading to a traditional Javanese joglo-style pavilion at the summit. A statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, carved from a single jackfruit tree trunk, will also be installed there

The Bukit Wayang Prayer Park is being built through the joint efforts of the parish priest and parishioners. Once completed, the site will offer pilgrims a place for prayer, reflection and the Stations of the Cross overlooking the slopes of Mount Merbabu.—licas.news