Young-kyun John Moon SJ of the Korean Province was ordained to the diaconate on 23 October at St Leo the Great Church in Oakland, California, USA. The ordination Mass was presided over by Bishop Michael C Barber SJ of the Diocese of Oakland.

The celebration brought together Fr Jeong-yeon Javier Hwang SJ, Provincial of the Jesuits in Korea, who travelled from Seoul for the occasion, along with Moon’s family, fellow Jesuits, members of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (JST), and parishioners of the local Korean Catholic community. The liturgy was also livestreamed, allowing Jesuits, friends, and benefactors in Korea to participate in prayer.

Seeking, finding, and sharing the Truth

In his homily, Bishop Barber reflected on the remarkable origins of the Catholic Church in Korea, highlighting the role of lay believers in establishing and spreading the faith before the arrival of foreign missionaries.

He recalled the story of Peter Yi Seung-hun, one of the pioneers of Korean Catholicism, who was baptised in Beijing in 1784 and subsequently helped introduce the faith to his homeland.

Bishop Barber described Yi‘s spiritual journey through three essential movements: seeking the truth, finding the truth, and sharing the truth. He emphasised that, for Christians and especially for Jesuits, truth is not merely an abstract idea but a person: Jesus Christ.

Praising the vitality of the Korean Church and its strong tradition of lay leadership, Bishop Barber encouraged Moon to follow the example of Peter Yi Seung-hun and St Ignatius of Loyola by helping others seek, discover, and share the truth of Christ.

The bishop also reminded the congregation that the diaconate is fundamentally a ministry of service, echoing Jesus’ words in the Gospel: “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27).

L-R: Fr Tom Smolich SJ, newly ordained Deacon Young-kyun John Moon SJ, Bishop Michael C Barber SJ, and Fr Jeong-yeon Javier Hwang SJ

Ordained for a life of service

During the ordination rite, Fr Tom Smolich SJ, Superior of the JST Jesuit Community, presented Moon as a candidate for the diaconate. Moon then publicly committed himself to serving God’s people, proclaiming the Gospel, remaining faithful to prayer, and living a life of obedience and celibacy.

As he lay prostrate before the altar, the congregation invoked the intercession of the saints, including St Ignatius of Loyola, St Francis Xavier, and the Korean martyrs. Bishop Barber then laid his hands on Moon and offered the Prayer of Ordination.

After being vested with the diaconal stole and dalmatic, the newly ordained deacon received the Book of the Gospels from the bishop, who entrusted him with the responsibility of proclaiming and living the Word of God.

Deacon Moon subsequently exercised his new ministry for the first time by assisting Bishop Barber during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

A historic farewell to the Diocese of Oakland

The celebration also marked an important moment in the history of JST and its longstanding relationship with the Diocese of Oakland.

In his remarks following Communion, Fr Smolich recalled that JST had celebrated ordinations in the diocese since 1969, following its relocation to Berkeley in 1968.

With JST scheduled to move to Santa Clara University’s main campus in 2027, Moon’s ordination marked the school’s final ordination celebration in the Diocese of Oakland, bringing a 57-year tradition to a close.

Fr Smolich expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Barber and the diocese for their decades of friendship and support for Jesuit formation.

He also thanked Fr Hwang for travelling from Korea, as well as Moon’s family and the Korean Catholic community of St Andrew Kim Parish in Oakland, where Moon had been involved in pastoral ministry.

Addressing the new deacon, Fr Smolich praised the strength and conviction of his responses during the ordination promises, assuring him of the community’s continued love and support as he prepares to return to Korea.

Following the Mass, Jesuits, family members, and parishioners gathered for photographs and a festive reception, celebrating the occasion with the warmth and hospitality of the local Korean Catholic community.

As Deacon Moon continues his journey toward priestly ordination, Bishop Barber’s invitation to seek, find, and share the truth offers a fitting expression of his vocation as a Jesuit: to encounter Christ more deeply and make his love known through humble service to others.