Holy Family Church in Taipei City was filled to overflowing on Saturday, June 9 as hundreds of people gathered for the ordination of Romio Brahma SJ and Aloysius Ming-te Hsu SJ to the priesthood. It was a momentous occasion and some, especially the relatives and friends of the new priests, were moved to tears by the melodious choir and sacred ritual.

Archbishop of Taipei John B Shan-Chuan Hung SVD officiated at the ordination. During the ceremony, Archbishop Hung praised the two new priests for their determination to respond to the call of their vocation and their wholehearted pursuit of perfect sainthood. He also inspirited them to start the mission of spreading apostolic devotion, stressing that ordination is not a completion, but a beginning.

Fr Stephen Sau-Yan Chow SJ, Provincial of the Chinese Jesuit Province, welcomed the two new priests to the Society of Jesus, and encouraged them “to empty oneself in order to serve others in the Lord”.

Fr Brahma, who is originally from India and belongs to the Kohima Jesuit Region, was very happy to see so many of his relatives and friends at his ordination. He wants to serve the poor and people in need, and asked all gathered to pray for him as he continues to strive to be a servant of God.

Fr Hsu, who is Taiwanese and from Kaohsiung, thanked all those who accompanied him in his vocation journey. He urged the youth present “to carefully discern, to courageously answer the call from God”. After all, he said, one has to take action besides feeling moved.

Many Jesuits joined the celebration, welcoming their brothers to the priesthood. It was a time to give thanks to God for this blessing.

“I am now 86 years old. I’m glad to see successors, and hope that these young priests will continue to carry forward the spirit of Jesus Christ,” said Fr Simon En-jung Chu SJ.