In a most touching sacred ordination ceremony at the St. Aloysius Church in Spokane, Washington, Radmar Agana Jao, eldest son in a family of nine children of Dr. and Mrs. Rodolfo L. Jao of Valparaiso, Indiana, was inducted into The Jesuit Order, The Society of Jesus, on Saturday, June 11, 2011, after 11 years in the Seminary.
The colorful event was accentuated by the more than 200 Jesuits priest, in their white garb with red and gold trimmings, who flew to Spokane from Oregon and California to attend the ordination. About 100 family members and friends were at hand to witness the tear-jerking event, which included the ritual where Fr. Radmar was prostrate face down on the floor, in front of the altar, a symbol of humility and a sense of being in one with Christ in His crucifixion and death.
Officiating the ordination was The Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich, S.T.D., Bishop of Spokane, who congratulated Fr. Radmar’s parents, grandmother, Mrs. Consuelo Agana (the former Philippine movie queen, whose stage name was Linda Estrella), and family.
The following day, Sunday the 12th, the Rev. Fr. Radmar conducted his first mass, which was attended by his fellow Jesuits priest, family members and friends. His very insightful and inspiring homily, which was delivered with great animated eloquence was met with a resounding ovation. There were no dry eyes among those present during this holy celebration. – PSC