On the Solemnity of Saints Timothy and Titus, 26 January, four Jesuit scholastics were ordained to the diaconate in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They were ordained along with 11 other men from various religious orders and congregations, including the Archdiocese of Semarang and the Discalced Carmelite Order.
The four Jesuit ordinands are Andreas Agung Nugroho, Amadea Prajna Putra Mahardika, Frederick Ray Popo, and Klaus Heinrich Raditio.
Mgr Robertus Rubiyatmoko, Archbishop of Semarang, led the ordination, accompanied by the Rector of St Paul’s Major Seminary, Fr Alexius Dwi Aryanto, and Fr Ignatius Triatmoko MSF. The deacons’ families and friends were present to celebrate this moment.
The newly ordained deacons are determined to actively nurture God’s gift for the service of His people, as evinced in their chosen theme, “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). In his homily, the archbishop reminded them of the qualities necessary for deacons, including decency, vigilance against worldly pleasures, collaboration in service, trust in keeping the secrets of the faith, and a holy and humble life.
During the liturgy, each deacon promised obedience before the archbishop. They received the laying on of hands, liturgical vestments, and the Holy Scriptures. Through this rite, they were vested with the authority to assist priests and proclaim the Gospel. The celebration ended with a reception in their own community, which gave them much encouragement to ignite God’s gifts and pray that God Himself would complete His good work in them.
