Archdiocese to honour founder of Salvatorians at upcoming Mass
The Archdiocese of Perth will be celebrating a thanksgiving Mass to pay tribute to Salvatorian Religious Orders founding Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan who was beatified on 15 May 2021. The Mass will take place at Saint Mary’s Cathedral on 8 September at 6pm. Photo: Supplied.
By Amanda Murthy
The Salvatorian Order in Western Australia invites the Perth Catholic community to join in celebrations at a Thanksgiving Mass at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Perth, on Wednesday, 8 September at 6pm – to honour the Founder of the Salvatorians Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, who was officially beatified by the Holy See on 15 May 2021.
The beatification ceremony held at the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome was presided by Pope Francis’ Vicar General Cardinal Angelo De Donatis.
Due to the pandemic restrictions, the local church viewed the ceremony via an online livestreaming offered by Catholic television station TELEPACE, accessed at https://telepacenews.it/diretta/
Reflecting on the milestone, Salvatorian Regional Superior Rev George Kolodziej SDS said that the event is regarded as “the the most significant event in Salvatorian history, from the time of its founding to the present day.”
“What makes this event more profound, is during these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic and all its ramifications, we are still able to unite as a family of believers and celebrate this historic event,” Fr Kolodziej added.
Fr Jordan was born on 16 June 1848 in Gurtweil, a small town in the Archdiocese of Freiburg (Germany).
Upon his ordination to the priesthood on 21 July 1878, Fr Jordan was sent to Rome, where he spent the much of his life.
Motivated by the apostolic zeal and desire to make Jesus Christ known and loved by all people, he founded the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) in 1881 and the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Sisters) in 1888.
Salvatorian Fathers Regional Superior Rev George Kolodziej SDS at the blessing and opening of the new Salvatorian Spirituality Centre in Currambine on 21 November. The Archdiocese of Perth will be celebrating a thanksgiving Mass to pay tribute to Salvatorian Religious Orders founding Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan at Saint Mary’s Cathedral on 8 September at 6pm. Photo: Amanda Murthy.
He also organised groups of lay people to take part in the Church’s mission of evangelisation using all ways and means. Fr Jordan died on 8 September 1918 in Tafers in Switzerland.
The Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) history in Australia began in 1961, following a letter of invitation sent a few years earlier by second Perth Archbishop Redmond Prendiville to the head of the Society in Rome, Fr Bonaventura Schweizer.
In response to this invitation, Fr Schweizer sent the first Salvatorian Father, Fr Paul Keyte to Australia in 1961. Fr Keyte was appointed to take pastoral care of the newly established parish of Bellevue and then, Greenmount.
Since then, thanks to the growth and wonderful personal support of the Polish Province of the Salvatorians, the Society has been able to extend, undertaking pastoral care in several parishes in the Perth region, including in the Balcatta, Ocean Reef, Nollamara and Clarkson areas as well as some regional areas of Western Australia.
After the turn of the century, the Salvatorian Fathers have also been involved in the ministry of parishes in the Broken Bay Diocese in NSW and in some Sydney and Melbourne Archdioceses.
Fr Kolodziej said that the Salvatorian Fathers try to take a broad approach to their priestly ministry, by not restricting themselves to the parish pastoral ministry.
But rather, over the last several years, extending to reach all facets of life by engaging in ministry, such as school chaplaincy and providing spiritual retreat facilities.
In 2018, the Order opened their new Archdiocese of Perth Spirituality Centre in Currambine. The centre was blessed and officially opened by Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB on 21 November 2019.
Keep an eye out on our social media platforms for information on the livestream for the 8 September Mass celebrations.