Last modified: 2023-09-14
Abstract
Catholics in Java, especially in Central Java and Yogyakarta, still hold midodareni before the wedding blessing the next day. This tirakatan night is held to ask that the angels from Kahyangan Syailendra Bawana be allowed to come down to earth to visit the bride-to-be and give her the blessings so that she becomes beautiful like an angel. The angels will come down and stay at the bride's house until five days after the wedding.
How should the Catholic faithful interpret midodareni from the perspective of Catholic salvation theology? Through a comparative study and literature study of the meaning of midodareni in Javanese tradition and biblical texts on the salvation of the Lord Jesus, especially in John 14:6, this paper aims to present a synthesis of the proper Catholic meaning of the midodareni ritual. The purpose of this study is to help Javanese-cultured Catholics to perform the midodareni cultural ritual from the perspective of the true Catholic faith.
In the blessing of Midodareni according to the Catholic liturgy, there is a change in meaning. Originally in Javanese culture, one expected the arrival of angels to bless and give grace to the bride and groom, now it has changed to the hope that God is pleased to give blessings and blessings to the bride and groom. This is the new light of Christ that Catholicism proclaims to its followers, especially those in Javanese culture.