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News Story

By Mike Jordan Laskey


Banner photo, from left: Francis Hoang-Long Nguyen, SJ; Andrew David Laguna, SJ; Travis Dean Russell, SJ; Archbishop Alexander K. Sample; Stefanus Hendrianto, SJ; Robert Bruce Van Alstyne, SJ at the Ordination, Our Lady of La Vang Church, Portland, OR.

June 9, 2019 — Jesuits West is proud to announce that five Jesuits were ordained to the priesthood on June 8 at Our Lady of La Vang Church in Portland, Oregon: Fr. Francis Nguyen, SJ; Fr. Andrew Laguna, SJ; Fr. Travis Russell, SJ; Fr. Stefanus Hendrianto, SJ; and Fr. Robert Van Alstyne, SJ.

Additionally, Fr. Alex Llanera, SJ, of Jesuits West, was ordained on November 24, 2018, at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in Sacramento. In total, the Society of Jesus in the United States, Canada and Haiti is ordaining 22 new priests this year.

It’s safe to assume every Jesuit has been asked to tell his vocation story at least once — and probably far more times than that.

But how about boiling that story of a lifetime down to six words? This was one of the questions the 22 Jesuits ordained to the priesthood were asked to ponder leading up to these celebrations.


Ordinands at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

“Speak Lord, your servant is listening,” offered Francis Hoang-Long Nguyen, SJ, quoting the biblical prophet Samuel’s response to God in Hebrew Scripture.

“God planted. He also gives growth,” wrote Richard Nichols, SJ.

And Travis D. Russell, SJ: “More surprises than certainty. All grace.”

Grace certainly abounds in the lives and vocations of these 22 men from Canada, the United States and Haiti who have said yes to their Catholic faith, yes to the Society of Jesus and yes to the call to ordained priesthood. Their witness is a sign of joyful hope. Their witness is an invitation to all of us to put our faith into action in service to God and our sisters and brothers everywhere.


From left: Fr. Adam Hincks, SJ; Archbishop of Ottawa Terrence Prendergast, SJ; Fr. Ted Penton, SJ; and Fr. Erik Oland, SJ, provincial of the Canada Province at the ordination ceremony at St. Paul’s Basilica in Toronto, Canada (Photo by Anna Sudyk for fotoreflection.com)

The formation process that leads up to Jesuit priestly ordination is a long one, typically lasting 10-12 years and including intensive stages of study, ministry, accompaniment of those on the margins of society, prayer and more — all while living in Jesuit community. This brochure is just a snapshot into the lives of these men throughout their life in the Society of Jesus, capturing some highlights from their journeys and providing a glimpse of their unique personalities. As you learn about them, please keep them in your hearts and in your prayers:

Loving God,
Like his Savior and brother, Jesus Christ,
St. Ignatius of Loyola gathered companions
for his ministry of faith, hope and love.
We are thankful that so many thousands of others
have answered the call to the Society of Jesus through the ages.
Bless these 22 men who will continue to serve
the Society, the Church and the world as ordained priests.
Never cease to enkindle their love for you and your people.
And strengthen all of us to serve with them as fellow disciples.
We pray this through Christ, Our Lord,
AMEN.

Do you want to learn more about vocations to the Society of Jesus?
Visit beajesuit.org for more information.

Related stories:

Photos and more from the ordination ceremony in Canada in May

Learn about the five stages of Jesuit formation