Indonesian Jesuit Paulus Hastra Kurdani (Dani) was ordained a deacon alongside seven Jesuits from different parts of the world by Cardinal Carlos Osoro, Archbishop of Madrid, at the Church of San Francisco Javier and San Luis Gonzaga in Mártires de la Ventilla in Madrid, Spain on 5 February.
With Deacon Dani were ordained Deacons Leonargo Angius and Cristiano Laino from Italy, José Castillo and Joan Morera from Spain, Savio Fernández from India, Antranik Kurukian from Lebanon, and Michael N Manalastas from USA. All of them are studying theology at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid.
The ceremony was held with reduced capacity and respecting the norms established by the health authorities of Spain. Given the difficulties of the pandemic, many of the family members and relatives of the newly ordained were unable to participate. Deacon Dani’s family could not travel to Spain from Indonesia. However, his Jesuit brothers from the conference were present to support and congratulate him.
Cardinal Osoro in his homily highlighted four important moments in Ignatius’ life that marked his spiritual journey, namely his battle wound, his conversion, his desire for holiness, and mission. In all these personal experiences, Jesus Christ was at the centre of Ignatius’ life. He discerned and listened to the Lord at every circumstance and served him with his entire capacity. The Cardinal invited the new deacons to love and serve the Lord by being closer to his people. As the reading from the Gospel of Luke on the miraculous catch of fish teaches, Cardinal Osoro encouraged them to dare to go deeper within themselves and to go further to serve others. He concluded by saying that to listen and live according to the word of the Lord entails courage like that of St Ignatius in facing the many difficult circumstances that will come their way.
The entire celebration was accompanied by simple and solemn music conducted by Italian scholastic Andrea Bonavita, and performed in the languages of the ordinands, such as Italian, Indian, Indonesian, and Lebanese. At the end of the ceremony, Deacon Dani gave a joyful speech thanking the Cardinal, all the coordinators of the celebration, and all the participants.
The new deacons are expected to complete their studies at Comillas in the next four months. Afterwards, they normally return to their home province to carry out their new mission as assigned by their Provincial. [Scholastic David Sakda Meedchawdoy SJ/Indonesian Province Communications Office]
Watch key moments of the ordination