On Saturday, May 13, eight Jesuits were ordained deacons in the Church of Saint-Ignace, in Paris. One of them, Carlos Chuqiuhuara SJ, a British Province scholastic, shares his reflection of that special day.

Being ordained as a deacon in the Society of Jesus could be summarised in three ‘p's’: presence, promise and plurality.

On this special day, I could feel God’s presence: in the smiles of everyone attending the ordination Mass, in my 5-year-old nephew’s questions about my diaconal stole, in the encouraging and gentle words of bishop Theodore Kodidis, and in the overwhelming spiritual unity of a liturgy that instituted me and my other seven companions to preach God’s love and to serve the Church and those in need.

Likewise, my ordination was marked by the many promises, including those which I made in front of the bishop and the people of God. In a way, these promises are the means by which I will actualise my closeness to Christ and his Church. In this regard, these promises are the starting point of a long journey towards more active participation in the sacramental and pastoral life of the Church. In the words of ritual: "May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfilment".

Finally, the ordination was a very plural experience: ordinands from 8 different countries, singing in Latin, French, English, Arabic and Telegu; with prayers in French, Arabic, Haitian Creole, and Santali. And people from all walks of life and different corners of the globe coming together to support eight young Jesuits to be better servants of the Living Word and better companions of the Risen Lord.

You can view photos from the ordination by clicking here and watch the ceremony in full by clicking here.

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