The ordination in the cathedral of Valladolid on Saturday 26 June of Íñigo H. Alcaraz Torres SJ, Antonio F. Bohórquez Colombo SJ, Daniel Cuesta Gómez SJ, Nubar J. Hamparzoumian Herrero-Botas SJ, Álvaro Lobo Arranz SJ and Iñigo Merello Terry SJ was a celebration full of symbolism towards new times and hope for the future. A commitment to life in the midst of the Ignatian year, with the conversion of Ignatius of Loyola recalled in the homily of the Cardinal and Archbishop of Valladolid, D. Ricardo Blázquez, and in the final thanksgiving shared by Lobo. Family members, fellow Jesuits and friends were able to witness their vows and experience with them the joy of their new step as members of the Society of Jesus.
At the ceremony, led by Cristóbal Jiménez SJ, and presided over by D. Ricardo Blázquez and the provincial Antonio España, the measures against the pandemic - hand hygiene, distances and masks - were very much present, with the hope of a new time in the face of the announcements of a life with fewer restrictions. The atypical diaconate of all of them, with long periods of isolation, opens up to a hopeful pastoral ministry: "In belonging in heart and life to the Society of Jesus is your home and your school as disciples of Jesus and missionaries in the world", said D. Ricardo Blázquez in the homily.
The Word and the music of Choir Nine and Four accompanied the rite of ordination: their vesting with the stole and chasuble, symbols that will accompany them from now on in their priestly ministry; anointing with the holy chrism in their hands, so that they may be an extension of the Lord's hands in this world; and the presentation of the chalice and paten. The ordination liturgy ended with the embrace of peace. All this was an expression of the gift of vocation.
Álvaro Lobo SJ expressed on behalf of the six, the gratitude for so much received: from Ignatius of Loyola; from the Jesuits who have made the ceremony possible with so much care and love; Cristóbal Jiménez, Gerardo Villar, Roberto Villasante. To Antonio España, "for your affection, your understanding, your trust and, why not, your patience during this time of formation". Thanks also to all the companions for "teaching us to be Jesuits and showing us the Gospel and the way of seeing the world in the manner of Ignatius of Loyola and with the passion of St. Francis Xavier".
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