“Carry your cross!” This was the challenge of Bishop Honesto Ongtioco to the 13 Jesuit deacons he ordained on September 14, 2013. The Jesuit ordinands included nine from the Philippine Province – Manases L Amanence SJ, Guillrey Anthony M Andal, SJ, Antonio M Basilio SJ, Eric Anthony S Escandor, SJ, Erik John J Gerilla SJ, Jose Emmanuel A Liwanag SJ, Ruben B Orbeta Jr SJ, Neupito J Saicon SJ, and Irmo Fracis A Valeza SJ.
It was the moment in which the Society of Jesus finally came to life in Myanmar: the ordination of the country’s first ever Jesuit priest, Fr Wilbert Mireh SJ. Watching on among the throngs of faithful who packed Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw, in Kayah State in the country’s east on May 1, Myanmar scholastic William-Paul gave quiet thanks for an event whose implications would reverberate far beyond the people who had gathered here to witness it.
EAPI sets up Centre for Effective Mission
The East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) is setting up a new unit to provide consultancy and on-site training programmes for local churches in Asia Pacific. The new Center for Effective Mission will complement EAPI’s current formation and educational programmes in Manila, Philippines.
Seventeen Jesuit scholastics were ordained deacon in Manila on September 8. They were an international group from nine Provinces and Regions in three Conferences, Asia Pacific, South Asia and Africa. Six of the new deacons are from the Philippine Province and the other 11 from Arrupe International Residence (AIR).
Two Korean Jesuits were ordained priests at the Myeong-Dong Cathedral in Seoul on July 4. Fr Hyung-chul Simeon Kim SJ and Fr Du-hyun John Kim, SJ both entered the Society in 2002. More than 800 people joined the Ordination Mass presided by Most Rev. Kyu-man Basil Cho, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul. During his homily, Bishop Cho asked the newly ordained Jesuits to remember that it is not our capacity that makes the priesthood possible, but the prayers of our parents and the community of faithful.
Probably our most decisive formation occurred at home when our mothers and fathers encouraged us to take our first steps. Jesuits are no different from anyone else in our stages of growth. We are each responsible for the values and patterns of behaviour we appropriate to ourselves. Yet since much is demanded of them, a Jesuit’s personal formation is necessarily long and deep.
The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has released a detailed document on formation for Jesuits for this part of the world.
Entitled “Forming a Contemplative in Action: A Profile of a Formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific”, the document addresses three major questions – What does a formed Jesuit look like? What specific issues does initial formation need to address? What competencies a formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific needs to have mastered?
Scholastic Dino SarmentoSJ looks back on his two years of regency in Railaco, Timor Leste and shares some important, beautiful and truly treasured moments.
During his tertianship, Indonesian Jesuit Christoporus “Tito” Aria chose Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center for his two-week elective mission. He wanted to learn about the use of mother tongue in an elementary school for indigenous people. He shares his experience. … Continued
Last July 28 at 9 am, was the ordination of Indonesian Jesuit scholastics Bagus Aris Rudiyanto, Seno Hari Prakoso, Kristiono Puspo, Buddy Haryadi, Bambang Irawan and Sigit Prasadja by the most reverend Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, at St Anthony Church, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Ad maiorem dei gloriam!