In his ordination booklet, Nalerin Erone SJ summarises his formation journey with a single word: gift. A gift that has been given to him since birth, a gift that continues to be present in his life, a gift that has invited him to participate in God’s mission, a gift that has made it possible for him to fulfil it, and a gift that has transformed his life.
He recalls vividly an image that emerged during one of his annual retreats that reaffirms him to this day: the image of water flowing into a glass. The glass, perhaps filled with coffee, is placed under clear, flowing water. Slowly, the coffee is purified and becomes clear water, continuing to flow until the glass overflows. The options then are either to let the water continue to overflow or to place more glasses next to the clear glass so they also receive the clear water. He chooses the second option, which is to place more glasses, so that they, too, can share and receive the same clear water, that is, the abundance of God’s gift and grace.
On 31 July, he was ordained by His Grace, Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, which is his home parish. Family, friends, Jesuits, the local clergy, and nuns came to witness another local son of the parish being ordained, this time as a Jesuit priest. The last Jesuit to be ordained in this parish was in 1986, the same year that Pope John Paul II visited Singapore. Incidentally, this year 2024, another pope (Pope Francis) is visiting Singapore, and again, this parish has another Jesuit priest!
Nalerin entered the novitiate in Girisonta, Indonesia, continued his philosophy studies in Jakarta, regency in Kuching, and theology in Madrid. After one more month of pastoral work at Sacred Heart Cathedral, he will return to Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid to complete another year of licentiate studies in theology.
The day after the ordination, he presided over his first Mass at the Church of the Holy Family in Terawi, the current parish where his mother and sisters live. A big celebration with lots of local food and rice wine followed at his mother’s house, sponsored by the villagers. A professional cultural dance troupe was invited to perform various traditional dances to highlight the momentous event. Everyone enjoyed the close-knit fellowship with food, drinks, and dancing.
In spite of the grandness of the celebration arranged by his family, Nalerin is fully aware of his limitations and fragility. At the same time, he is filled with the joy of the Risen Lord, who comforts him and invites him to collaborate in Jesus’ task of consolation, animated by the love of God and the desire to serve his people. Just as God has granted him the grace to desire the Jesuit priesthood and to offer it, God will also grant him the abundant grace to fulfil it. [MAS Communications]
Watch highlights from Fr Nalerin Erone’s priestly ordination: