Fr Jerry Cusumano SJ, Bishop Ryan Jimenez, Fr Ochi Naoki SJ, Archbishop Tarcisius Kikuchi Isao SVD, Fr Nguyễn Minh Toan SJ, Japan Provincial Fr Renzo De Luca SJ, and Fr Pham Van Tu SJ

Deacons Nguyễn Minh Toàn SJ and Ochi Naoki SJ were ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Tarcisius Kikuchi Isao SVD on 17 September in St Ignatius Church in Tokyo. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, the number of people allowed to attend was limited, but the ordinands’ families and friends were present, along with a large number of concelebrating priests.

Bishop Ryan Pagente Jimenez of Saipan came for Fr Ochi, along with Fr Dennis Baker SJ from New York, who was President of Xavier High School in Chuuk when Fr Ochi did his Regency there. The Socius of the Vietnamese Province Fr Andrew Phạm Văn Tú SJ and Vietnamese Social Apostolate Coordinator Fr Peter Trương Văn Phúc SJ came for Fr Minh Toàn.

The ordinands’ family members flew from Vietnam, the US, and Germany. Children from the two families formed an offertory procession, and the Sisters of Charity of Jesus along with a large group of Vietnamese singers and instruments provided the music. All in all, the ceremony was a great manifestation of love and support for the newly ordained.

In his words of appreciation, Fr Ochi compared the blessing of ordination to a letter. “The letter containing messages written by our families and the many people who have supported us up till now was signed and sealed by the Archbishop in today’s ceremony,” he said. “And we shall deliver this letter to the people we meet from now on.” [Japan Province]