Honour, joy, silence and solemnity. The atmosphere of this year's ordinations of deacons, mediated by the health measures resulting from the pandemic, breathed these essential sentiments. A few days before, the ordinands had already sensed it in the words of one of them: "The pandemic has made everything that has to do with the celebration of the ordination slimmed down and perhaps allowed us to focus on the essential". And so the Provincial had asked: "On this occasion, I ask you to focus on the essentials. Grateful that God continues to call people to this Society".

Despite the limited attendance in person, health protocols, and the fact that many people could only attend via online streaming, the ordinands felt the presence and support of those who wanted to accompany them, united with them in God through prayer. The ceremony was held in the parish of St Francis Borgia and St Aloysius Gonzaga on Saturday 6 February.

Thirteen Jesuits were ordained, seven of them Spanish - Alberto Cano Arenas SJ; Andrés Cándido González González SJ; Carlos Maza Serguenet SJ; Francisco de Borja Miró Madariaga SJ; Iñigo Merello Terry SJ; Jaime Espiniella García SJ and Manuel Santamaría Belda SJ. The other six belonged to the Province of Bohemia (Czech Republic), the Province of West Africa, the Province of East Timor (ETR), and three of them to the Province of Southern Europe (EUM). In this way, the ordination also represented the universality and diversity of the Society of Jesus, which was also reflected in the community formed by the more than 1.100 people who followed the live broadcast on You Tube from so many places in Spain and from other countries: Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Benin.

All the symbols of the ceremony - promise, litanies, laying on of hands, putting on the diaconal stole and the dalmatic and the handing over of the Gospel - helped to understand the meaning of the mission of the new deacons, the generous dedication of their lives and the solemnity of the moment.

The final words of thanksgiving were given by Andrés González on behalf of all the new deacons, who pointed out the markedly different character of this celebration after a year in which suffering and death have come close, and hence the greater importance of thanksgiving. You can watch the recorded ceremony on the Society of Jesus channel: