On 8 December, Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Fr Richard V Ella SJ solemnly professed his Final Vows at the University Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU), Zamboanga City, Philippines.
Receiving his vows on behalf of Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ was Fr Karel San Juan SJ, President of AdZU. Fr Ella pronounced his perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before the Holy Eucharist, in the presence of his Jesuit brothers and representatives from the school community. Joining them were friends and well-wishers from his former parish in Zamboanguita, Bukidnon who drove some 600 kilometres to witness the event. The celebration was likewise livestreamed for his friends and family who could not attend in person.
Fr IJ Chan-Gonzaga SJ, who delivered the homily, highlighted Fr Ella’s “fitness” as a Jesuit, alluding to his Faithfulness and fidelity in fulfilling his various missions; his Indifference and availability to work, “never [getting] the assignment he asked for, but [always getting] the mission he was fit to do; and his Trusting heart, founded on a deep confidence in a God who does not abandon.
Fr Chan-Gonzaga likewise reminded Fr Ella: “We are here to be with you and to pray for you… in joy and gratitude we are with you, we celebrate with you. [Today] the Society entrusts itself to you inasmuch as it tells you that it will take care of you. This is God’s enterprise. He will see us through. He has always seen us through.”
Fr Ella entered the Society in 2000 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2011. As a priest his assignments have included being the parish priest of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace, and School Director of St Isidore High School in Zamboanguita, Bukidnon; University Chaplain at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan; and Vice President for Administration at AdZU.
After finishing his Tertianship in Oregon in 2019, he was missioned back to Bukidnon as Superior of the Mission District. This year, he had his second homecoming in Zamboanga, this time as Vice President for Formation of AdZU. As he quipped in his thanksgiving message, “third time’s the charm”, as he was also assigned to the AdZU High School during his Regency years.
Fr Ella ended his thanksgiving message by gratefully reminding those in the congregation: “A Jesuit is someone who is a sinner yet called…I have fallen many times but God has always been there to help me get up. It is a challenging journey yet a deeply consoling one. My heart is full for such a compassionate God.”
Fr San Juan SJ in his response thanked Fr Ella for inspiring the community with his generosity and joyfulness, and commended him for his steadfast commitment to the mission in Mindanao.
Filipino Scholastic Dom Joseph B Bulan SJ is a second-year Regent assigned as Assistant Principal for Formation at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Senior High School in Zamboanga City, Philippines.