Six Jesuit deacons were ordained as priests at St Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Saigon, Vietnam on December 3. The new priests are Fr Francis Xavier Hoàng Khắc Luận SJ, Fr Philip Trần Thanh Minh SJ, Fr Peter Lê Hoàng Nam SJ, Fr Anthony Nguyễn Ngọc Triêm SJ, Fr Peter Nguyễn Đức Thắng SJ and Fr Joseph Phạm Công Tùng SJ.
Archbishop of Hue Archdiocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam Most Rev Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh presided at the ordination Mass which was concelebrated by Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ, his regional assistants, Fr Danny Huang SJ and Fr Victor Assouad SJ, Vietnamese Provincial Fr Vincent Phạm Văn Mầm SJ and about 110 priests, both Jesuits and non-Jesuits.
In his homily, Archbishop Linh reminded the congregation, particularly the ordinands, of the grace of becoming Christ’s disciples. He underlined God’s loving call as an unconditional grace for those who are chosen to become priests. There are no worldly standards for the election of priesthood, said the Archbishop, it does not depend on one’s talents, good looks and background, but on the creative love of God. Therefore, he said, priests are expected to be able to serve God and others with agape – a divine love that comes only from a constant and close relationship with God.
View photos of the ordination
Archbishop Linh also urged the ordinands to be aware of their role as witnesses to God’s love and to share this love with the world. This can only happen if they contemplate Jesus, the High Priest, on the cross and to draw from his sacrificing mystery the spiritual power needed for their Jesuit life and pastoral mission. He told them to look to the good examples of many Jesuit saints and blessed who have lived and fought under the banner of the cross in the service of the Lord and his Church, denying worldly invitations and temptations.
One such saint is Francis Xavier, whose feast day coincided with the ordination. In his message to the newly ordained priests at the end of the Mass, Fr General Sosa cited three ways that St Francis Xavier can inspire their priesthood. First is the saint’s total availability to be sent. “When Nicolas Bobadilla became seriously ill at the last minute, St Ignatius asked Francis to go, and Francis went without any hesitation and with joy,” said the Superior General.
Second is St Francis’ creativity in spreading the Gospel. “Francis truly went to the frontiers, to places in Asia where no one had ever preached the Gospel. He knew how to change and adapt his methods, depending on the context and the people he sought to serve,” said Fr Sosa.
Third, Fr Sosa highlighted St Francis’ deep and affective union with his brother Jesuits. He said that even though Francis was far from Europe, “in his heart, he was always deeply united with St Ignatius and with his brothers”.
Fr Sosa’s parting message to them was to be priests like St Francis Xavier: free to be sent to mission; going to the frontiers with creativity; and always happy to share their life-mission and be part of a team with their brothers and other companions in the one mission of Christ.
“The world is hungry for the wisdom, the joy and the hope of the Gospel,” said Fr Sosa. “God bless you as you go forth, servants of Christ’s mission, priests with the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.”
Watch Fr Sosa’s message to the newly ordained priests