On Saturday, May 23, in the Prague Church of St. Ignatius, Jiri Hebron was ordained deacon by auxiliary bishop of Prague Mons. Vaclav Maly.

Because of emergency measures given by the Czech government in this time of the Coronavirus crisis, the celebration took place in a much more familiar atmosphere. Beside of Jesuits from Prague and also from other Czech Jesuit communities, members of Jiri´s family took part together with his closest friends and some parishioners, no more than 60 people.

Despite the limitations, the celebration did not lose its joyful atmosphere given also the fact, that it was the first ordination in the Czech province since ten years.

The friendly atmosphere was also contributed by the speech of bishop Maly, who in his homily relied on a reading from the St. Paul´s letter to the Philippians about Christ, who renounced himself, and on the Gospel passage with the meeting of Mary Magdalene with the risen Jesus. He encouraged the new deacon so that, like Christ, he could set himself aside so that the Heavenly Father could work in him. He pointed out that this is the mission of all Christians: "Humility is not to hinder God in his way into our lives and the lives of our neighbours." Like Mary Magdalene, we are surprised when God addresses us. Mary passed on this joy quite simply, which is an example for our testimony as well. "The deacon is to be a personified testimony and to tell others: I have seen the Lord!" said bishop Maly.

The new deacon Jiri Hebron SJ joined the Society of Jesus in 2009, he did Philosophy studies in Munich and Theology studies in Rome. Now he is member of the Jesuit community in Prague.

Photo copyright: Tomas Jezek