Dehonians from the Indonesian Province are filled with joy for their newly ordained priests and deacons. Two Dehonian priests – Fr. Isidorus Didik and Fr. Anggoro Ratri – and three Dehonian deacons – D. Emilianus Etrodismas, D. Sudi Novianto and D. Hendrik Ardiyanto – together with two Salesians and one diocesan priest – were ordained by the Archbishop of Palembang, Mgr. Aloysius Sudarso, scj, on August 9, 2017, in the parish of the Immaculate Mary, Tegalrejo, South Sumatra. The Mass – filled with the cultural beauty of Indonesia – was attended by more than 5,000 parishioners, 160 priests and 200 religious.
“The priests are present in the important events of our lives as the members of the Holy Church,” Mgr. Aloysius Sudarso, SCJ, said in his homily.
On this joyful occasion, the Archbishop of Palembang invited the people to reflect on the true meaning of being a priest. “The priests are those who sanctify the important events of our lives: they are there to baptize, to forgive sins and to strengthen the weak and the poor, to witness and to bless marriages, to pray for the dead!” Mgr. Sudarso continued.
Mgr. Sudarso then emphasized the important presence of the priests as alter Christi. He invited us to see Christ in the consecrated and ordained persons. It is Christ himself who has granted His grace to the Church by choosing members of our families to be ordained and to be dedicated as His special own. Yet, priests and religious have their own human weakness too, and it is a very good reason to be attached always with Christ who calls us to the sanctity and the salvation of His people.
We invite you to pray for the newly ordained Indonesian confreres and to give thanks to our Good Lord who pours down His priestly grace on our Congregation.
