After twenty-nine years, a priestly ordination took place in our Holy Family Parish Church in Mito. Previously, it was Fr. Michiaki Chihara, the youngest Japanese priest, who was ordained at that time; and now, Fr. Ignatius Himawan Sulaksono from Indonesia was ordained by Most Rev. Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi, S.D.B., on September 22, 2026. Thirty-one priests from the diocese and other religious congregations concelebrated, including the assistant parish priest of Fr. Himawan in Solo, Indonesia, making this event more shalom. Two Japanese permanent deacons were also present at this ordination.
In the homily, before 350 people of God from several nationalities, Bishop Mario Michiaki Yamanouchi reminded all the priests, especially the newly ordained priest, to celebrate the Eucharist as the first, last, and only gift given to us. The Eucharist unites us with the people and with the Church; therefore, as priests, we should prepare ourselves and open ourselves to Christ, so that He may become truly present in the Eucharist for all.
At the end of the Eucharist, the Provincial of Indonesia expressed gratitude on behalf of the Congregation, the Indonesian Province, especially the Region of Japan, to the Bishop who ordained our priest from Indonesia to serve in Japan. The Provincial also expressed his gratitude to everyone who played a role in the formation and support: his family, formators, the committee who prepared the celebration, the people who were present, and those who attended through YouTube. The Province particularly thanked the Regional Superior and Council for its decision to hold and organize this priestly ordination in Japan.
The Provincial also invited everyone to express our gratitude to God for this meaningful ordination, hoping and praying that the newly ordained priest, together with our SS.CC. priests in Japan, will serve the people with loving mercy, so that more people may experience the merciful and loving God through Jesus.
At the end, the newly ordained priest, after thanking everyone in Japanese, asked all of us to continue to pray for him as he begins his ministry as a priest, so that he may serve until the end of his life, as he expressed his faith in his motto, “I am with you always until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Around 240 people of God who are close to the SS.CC. community in Japan continued the celebration with joy as a moment for community bonding.
Romo Pankras, SS.CC