On February 22, 2024, at St. Paul's Minor Seminary in Palembang, Indonesia, r, six deacons were ordained. The ordination celebration was attended by approximately 70 priests and 500 people.
On February 22, 2024, at St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Palembang, Indonesia, during the celebration of the Feast of the Throne of St. Peter, six deacons were ordained. Among them were four Indonesian SCJ deacons and two Diocesan deacons from the Archdiocese of Palembang. The ordination ceremony was conducted by Archbishop Mgr. Yohanes Harun Yuwono.
The newly ordained deacons include Fransiskus Edi Setiawan SCJ, Paulus Yosse Pratama SCJ, Yohanes Ferry Arianto SCJ, and Yuvens Kristia Efrata SCJ from the SCJ community, and Damian Yanuarius Haukilo Muni and Marselisius Karmi from the Palembang Archdiocese. Their chosen motto for the Deaconal Ordination reflects their commitment: “O Father, into Your hands I surrender myself,” symbolizing their desire to emulate Jesus’ submission to the will of the Father, as befitting their role as deacons, which means servants in Greek.
During his address, Fr. Andreas Suparman SCJ, the Superior Provincial of SCJ Indonesia, emphasized the importance of the deacons dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to serving God’s people and spreading the message of charity. He quoted St. Polycarp, urging the deacons to show mercy and diligence, mirroring God’s own servitude to humanity.
In his sermon, Archbishop Mgr. Yohanes Harun Yuwono stressed that being a deacon entails readiness to serve with the same commitment as St. Peter, who devoted himself entirely to Jesus. He urged the deacons to emulate Jesus’ honesty, self-denial, and obedience to God’s will.
The Archbishop encouraged the deacons to embody Christ’s teachings and strive to live as children of God, remaining steadfast in their calling despite human frailties. He emphasized the importance of upholding integrity and discipline, especially in a world filled with moral challenges. Finally, he expressed his hope that the deacons would remain faithful to their priestly vocation until the end of their lives.
The ordination ceremony was attended by approximately 70 priests and 500 individuals. Attendees expressed their anticipation for the upcoming priestly ordination of the deacons in September, coinciding with the centennial celebration of SCJ’s mission in Indonesia. They prayed that the deacons would continue to embody the spirit of surrender and dedication encapsulated in their chosen theme, “O Father. Into Your hands I surrender myself,” as they prepare for their future roles as priests.
