The Myanmar Jesuits marked two significant and joyful events in their region at a Mass on 25 March, Feast of the Annunciation, in Yangon. The first was the installation of Fr Girish Santiago SJ as the new Regional Superior, and the second was the profession of Final Vows of Fr Joseph Aik Maung SJ, the first to do so among Myanmar locals.
Prior to becoming Regional Superior, Fr Girish served for five years at St Luke’s College in Myitkyina. He took over from Fr Mark Raper SJ who had served as Superior since 2011. Fr Girish thanked his predecessor for “tirelessly building the mission’s foundation for the past 11 years, in planning, building, guiding, and leading Jesuits, collaborators, and partners in Christ’s mission”.
Fr Raper who gave the homily spoke about freedom as one of the important elements of divine service. A freedom of heart leads one to generous service to others. Mary, in her Fiat, showed her detachment from any disordered affection, and her total availability to the Missio Dei entrusted to her. Freedom of heart requires self-knowledge, skills of discernment, and courage to follow the divine inspiration in our daily life.
This total availability for mission has been the path to the Final Vows of Fr Aik Maung, whose full incorporation into the Society of Jesus gave the Region much hope towards having more local Jesuits engage fully in the service of the church and the people of Myanmar. Just a few days earlier, three local Jesuits had been ordained as priests.
“What a Joy it was for me to receive the Final Vows of Fr Joseph Aik Maung,” shared Fr Girish. “His incorporation has given us great hope that the locals are gradually getting ready to govern the young Myanmar Jesuit Region. We hope and pray for more good vocations to continue the work of the Lord!”
For Fr Aik Maung, making his Final Vows after 21 years of Jesuit formation is not an achievement, but a special gift of trust given to him by the Lord through the Society. “It widens God’s invitation for me to work in the mission field,” he shared.
