The Indonesian Jesuit Province is blessed with eight new deacons. Six of them were ordained on May 8 in the Chapel of Maria della Strada (Our Lady of the Way) at the Department of Education for Catholic Teachers and Catechism, Universitas Sanata Dharma in Yogyakarta.
The ordaining prelate, Archbishop of Semarang Most Rev Robertus Rubiyatmoko, asked the ordinandi what their ordination theme, “Witnesses of love” meant to them. Deacon Fransiskus Kristino Mari Asisi (Tino) responded that it reflects their ups and downs in following Jesus in their formation. Deacon Paul Prabowo added that the theme summed up how they focused on the experience of Peter, whom Jesus calls despite his imperfections. Like Peter, they are imperfect and yet called by Jesus to become witnesses of love.
Ordained with Deacons Tino and Paul were Deacons Agustinus Wahyu Dwi Anggoro (Wahyu), Benny Beatus Wetty (Benny), Hendricus Satya Wening Pambudi (Hendric) and Rafael Mathando Hinganaday (Dodo).
The six deacons travelled on different paths in their formation. Deacon Wahyu entered the novitiate in 2004 and undertook special studies in physics during his Regency. Being the first in the group to join the novitiate, he delivered the thanksgiving speech at the end of the Mass.
Deacon Benny entered the Society in 2007 and served at the Jesuit high school or kolese in Indonesia for his Regency. Originally from Bali, he also served in a small parish in Java where he improved his knowledge on Javanese culture and language.
Deacons Tino, Dodo, Paul and Hendric entered the novitiate in 2008. Deacons Paul and Hendric served at the kolese for Regency, while Deacon Tino went to Jesuit Service Cambodia and Deacon Dodo to Micronesia.
Archbishop Rubiyatmoko asked the congregation to pray to the Lord that through the Holy Spirit received in ordination, the new deacons will indeed become witnesses of love. The ordination is the sign of absolute obedience to Christ, he said. He urged the newly ordained to always remember Christ’s obedience as a servant and to become living examples of his witness of love.
Following the Mass, the community of Kolese Santo Ignatius House of Study welcomed the guests and families of the deacons for a small reception. The families met and talked with the community of the house and Jesuits residing in Yogyakarta.
The six new deacons along with two others, Deacon Harry Setianto SJ and Deacon Bernadu Christian Triyudo SJ, who were ordained in Manila in October last year, will be ordained to the priesthood on July 31.
As they continue their preparation for the priesthood, let us keep them in our prayers following part of St John Vianney’s prayer for priests:
“May their loving devotion to Your Son Jesus in the Eucharist and to Mary his Mother be the twin foundations of fruitfulness for their ministry.”