Our six confreres: Antonius Sutatno, Erik Tjeunfin, Evansius Abi, Handrianus Masri, Yeremias Yanuarius Parung, and Ignatius Washington Hendra Kusuma were ordained to the priesthood on August 21st, 2020 by the Archbishop of Jakarta, Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo at Saint Matthew Parish of Bintaro.
It was a historic ordination as it is the most numerous ordination of Xaverians to the priesthood in Indonesia and it took place during the Xaverian Jubilee Year and at the eve of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Xaverian presence in the archipelago. Moreover, the ordination was carried out in a particular context marked by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
Because of this particular situation, only a limited and selected number of participants aged between 18 and 59 were allowed to enter the church. Those coming outside from Jakarta were requested to undergo a PCR test showing that they were Covid-19 free and everyone was required to comply with the health protocols.
In his message to the newly ordained priests, the Cardinal expressed the hope that the current context in which the ordination is carried out will help them to appreciate the grace that has been bestowed on them so as their presence and ministry will be a sign of blessing for the salvation of many and the glory of God.
Quoting the Letter to the Hebrews 2:17, Cardinal Ignatius called on to the newly ordained priests to ever grow in the perfection of love, holiness and in the fullness of Christian life. He then thanked the Xaverian Congregation which has always availed its members to work in the Archdiocese of Jakarta.
He ended his message calling on the young people to ask themselves what God wants them to choose as vocation in life. The ordination was live streamed for the confreres and the other parishioners, relatives, Xaverian friends and benefactors who could not attend it.
We wish a meaningful and fruitful ministry to the newly ordained priests in their future missions in Indonesia (Fr. Antonius Sutatno), in Sierra Leone (Fr. Erik Tjeunfin), in Burundi (Fr. Evansius Abi), in the Philippines (Fr. Handrianus Masri), in Colombia (Fr. Yeremias Yanuarius Parung), and in Cameroun-Tchad (Fr. Ignatius Washington Hendra Kusuma).
The Lord couldn't have been more generous to us! (Testament Letter, 1)
