By Robert Rayendra Yudhika

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - On the 28th of July, the rite of ordination was held in the Holy Family Church belonging to the Nazareth Community of the MSF Studentate located in Jalan Kaliurang, Yogyakarta. Bishop Yustinus Harjosusanto, MSF ordained the two deacons: Thomas Budi Riyanto, MSF (Missionary of the Holy Family) and our very own, Silverius Andang Kencana Aji, SDB.

Indeed, this ceremony was a very special event -filled with thanksgiving and joy, especially for the Salesian Family in Indonesia because another Salesian priest, Fr Silverius Andang Kencana Aji, SDB, is added into the ranks of the ITM province. This Salesian was known as “Diakon Andang” when he was helping as a deacon in the St John Bosco Parish of Sunter – Jakarta.

Our newly ordained confrère, fondly called Andang, is a Salesian who hails from Semarang, Indonesia. His vocational path led him to the Salesians while he was already in his 9th year of employment in a private company in Semarang. In 2003 he started his Prenovitiate in Tigaraksa, followed by another year of Novitiate in the same place. After professing as a Salesian, together with his companions, he continued his studies in the School of Philosophy -STF Driyarkara in Jakarta. In the years 2008-2010 he made his practical training in Colegio Don Bosco – Fatumaca, Timor Leste. In the middle of 2010, he started off for the Philippines to continue his theological studies in the Don Bosco Center of Studies -Paranaque Philippines. It was also there that he made his perpetual profession in 2013 and was ordained deacon in 2014 at Paranaque.

“You are not your own” (1 Cor 6:19) During the rite of ordination for priests, it is a normal practice that the deacons choose an appropriate motto for their ordination. This is his motto, and if translated into Bahasa Indonesia means: “Kamu bukan milik kamu sendiri.” He chose this verse from the Sacred Scriptures to be the strength and inspiration in his priestly ministry.

On this ordination day, the church was already filled up since early morning, so much so that host community had to add more chairs at the sides of the church. They did the same also at the sanctuary because of the increased number of concelebrating priests. The sacred ceremony started exactly at 9:30 AM, with the procession led by the altar servers, followed by the two deacons with their parents and then the concelebrating priests. The Bishop was flanked by the Provincial Superior of the MSF and by Fr Lino Belo SDB, the ITM Delegate for Indonesia.

The Holy Eucharist and the rite of ordination was participated devoutly and well. Afterwards, everyone was invited for the reception that was accompanied by live songs and music.

During the closing remarks, Fr Lino Belo SDB, the superior for the Delegation of Indonesia, quoted Mama Margaret (the mother of Don Bosco) who at that time told the newly ordained Don Bosco that to become a priest means to be ready to suffer. Lastly, Fr Lino also announced that Fr Andang will be assigned as a formator of the clerics studying philosophy in the Wisma Salesian Don Bosco, Sunter-Jakarta. Best wishes to Fr. Andang!