An encounter, no matter how brief or insignificant it may seem, has the power to change someone’s direction in life. It can even lead someone to salvation. The encounter between Mary and Elizabeth led to the “encounter” of Jesus and John the Baptist, even when they were still in their mothers’ wombs. Both encounters are signs of God’s work of salvation for the world. By learning from both encounters, we may hope that God’s work of salvation will continue through our own encounters with others.
This was the reflection of Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan SJ, Provincial of the Indonesian Jesuit Province, before accepting the Final Vows of five Indonesian Jesuits on 31 May, at a Mass in honour of the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at St Antonius Padua Church in Yogyakarta.
The five Jesuits who pronounced their Final Vows were Fathers Ignatius Suryadi Prajitno SJ (Associate Parish Priest of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tangerang), Yohanes Adrianto Dwi Mulyono SJ (Parish Priest of St John the Baptist in Waghete Papua), Mario Tomi Subardjo SJ (doctoral student at the Pontificio Instituto Liturgico Sant’ Anselmo, Rome, Italy), Julius Mario Plea Lagaor SJ (Principal of St Petrus Canisius Minor Seminary in Magelang), and Yustinus Rumanto SJ (Campus Minister of Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta).
In addition to these priests, Father Provincial was also assisted by Fathers Paulus Suparno SJ (Acting Superior of St Ignatius College of Yogyakarta) and Andrianus Maradiyo (a diocesan priest who is also the Episcopal Vicar of East Yogyakarta) in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Fr Juliawan urged the congregation to be willing to meet everyone without exception in their ministries. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis’ homily during his visit to the United States, he expressed his hope that the newly professed Jesuits would be willing to meet people where they truly are, rather than where they perceive them to be. “This means that in our apostolic ministries and missions, we must always be ready to deal with uncomfortable, unpleasant, and tough situations. It is only in this way that we can truly be involved in being a means of God’s love for the people around us,” he said.
At the end of the Eucharist, Fr Tomi, speaking on behalf of his four companions, expressed gratitude to the Society of Jesus, their loved ones, friends, coworkers, and everyone who have supported them. The encounters they have made along their journeys have been a source of encouragement for them to pursue their vocations and missions, leading up to the moment of their Final Vows. Fr Tomi asked for the prayers of the congregation for their continued devotion to their works and ministries.
