Sister Maria Agusta

Sister Maria Agusta             ND 5316                PDF Download

Christina Ponidah

Our Lady of Good Counsel Province, Jakarta, Indonesia

Date and Place of Birth:              March 2, 1939              Godean, Indonesia
Date and Place of Profession:   July 8, 1964                  Pekalongan, Indonesia
Date and Place of Death:            November 15, 2021    Pekalongan, Indonesia
Date and Place of Burial:            November 16, 2021    Pekalongan, Indonesia

“I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word!” (Luke 1:38)

Christina Ponidah was the oldest girl of the three sons and six daughters born to Setroredjo and Murtidjah, a Muslim family. Ponidah was baptized on September 9, 1954, in the Church of St. Augustine, Purbalingga. Ten days later, in the same church, she received the Sacrament of Confirmation by Mgr. W. Schoemarker, MSC.

Christina Ponidah responded to God’s call to religious life by entering the Sisters of Notre Dame as a postulant in Pekalongan on August 15, 1961. At her investment on July 8, 1962, she received the name Sister Maria Agusta.

During her formation, Sister Maria Agusta grew in love as a member of the SND Congregation and continued developing and strengthening her vocation until she was allowed to make her first profession on July 8, 1964. When Sr.M. Agusta made her temporary profession, she started her mission in education. On February 2, 1970, Sister Maria Agusta made her perpetual vows.

Sister worked in the education department at St. Pius School in Purbalingga, RICI School in Jakarta, as a Principal at St. Pius Junior High School, Pekalongan, and on the Board of the Santa Maria Foundation. Sister also became a local superior in the St. Joseph Community, Pekalongan, and the Notre Dame Community, Jakarta.

In everyday life, Sr.M. Agusta was firm, loyal, prayerful, disciplined, hard-working, responsible, and gentle. Sister always drew strength from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, who became her models in carrying out her mission. Pekalongan became sister’s last place of retirement, and she worked in the sewing room.

Since 2019, sister had not been able to carry out her work in the sewing room any longer due to illness. She suffered from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a stroke. Sister was undergoing treatment at Budi Rahayu Hospital, Pekalongan. She sacrificed all her suffering to her beloved Jesus and to Mother Mary. Sister’s health began to decline in April 2021, and she had to be hospitalized. On 15 November 2021, Sister Maria Agusta went peacefully home to God in the Budi Rahayu Hospital in Pekalongan.

May she rest in peace.