The Missionaries of the Holy Family (MSF) in the Province of Java have one more priest. The deacon Albertus Feri Asmarajati MSF has been ordained priest. Bishop Emeritus of Banjarmasin, Mons. Franciscus Xaverius Prajasuta MSF, did the ordination in the Church Holy Family in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on 20 July 2010. The provincial superior Fr. Agustinus Purnama MSF, the rector of the seminary and one of his assistants Fr. Agustinus Susilo Suwartana MSF concelebrated at the mass of the ordination.

Mons. Prajasuta emphasized in his homily that a priest is a shepherd and a server in the first place. “Becoming a priest does not mean becoming a director or a manager. Being a priest includes the demand to be in particular a generous shepherd and a server,” he underlined. He asked all those present for a prayer for the priests that they may always be faithful to their vocation, especially in a situation that is not easy like in our time.

The Eucharist was celebrated in a really solemn manner. Four-hundred-fifty people took part in it. Among them there were priests, nuns, brothers and lay-people. Also relatives of the candidate for the ordination were present. P. Paulinus Yan Olla MSF had come from Rome as a representative of the generalate. All these people present, including the choir “Karimoeni”, which accompanied the celebration, were a great encouragement to the newly ordained priest.

Fr.  Albertus Feri had chosen as a word for his ordination: “He has sent me, and he will always be with me”(cf. Mt 28:19-20). The newly ordained priest was born on 3 February 1983. He likes the mountains and is convinced that God will accompany his vocation. “He who accepts such a mission, will also be accompanied by Him who sent him,” said the young priest. He got the assignment to carry on with his studies at the Theological Faculty Wedhabakti in Yogyakarta in order to gain a licentiate. Congratulations!

Bea Dwi Anggono MSF