On the Ordination of Aba Natnael S. Antonio, SJ in Chicago
Oscar Momanyi, SJ
As an armchair historian, I couldn’t help but draw connections between the remarkable event of the ordination of Aba Natnael S. Antonio (Natty) and earlier AOR occurrences. The past continues to influence the present and shape our future endeavors. This ordination felt like déjà vu, evoking memories of the ordination of Fr. Gaspar Sunwa, SJ, Fr. Aquiline Tarimo, SJ (of happy memories), and Fr. Protas Opondo, SJ, in Chicago’s St. Ignatius Church on June 10, 1995.
The ordination of Aba Natty in Chicago on June 14, 2025, was a testament to the enduring bond of friendship between AOR and UMI. Our Aba Natty was called to the altar by His Eminence Blaise Cardinal Cupich during a vibrant ceremony at St. Ita Church. The Cardinal delivered an inspiring homily that warmed the hearts of everyone in attendance. He was wonderful, gracious, holy, and humorous, even reminding us that this was the first time he was older than the Pope! As a “Pope Francis Cardinal,” it was the highest honor for him to ordain our brother Aba Natty, who is now called to be a “shepherd with the smell of the sheep.” Accompanying Aba Natty at the altar was Auxiliary Bishop of Addis Ababa, Bishop Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie MCCJ, a great friend of the Jesuits and the one who directed Aba Natty to the Society of Jesus. Additionally, Aba Natty’s mom was present in the church to offer up her son for the priestly ministry. Our Abba Natty was vested by his Rector and AOR friend, Fr. Martin T. Connell, SJ.
This ordination was personal for me, as an amateur historian, in another way. I represented the group that was with Abba Natty at the Novitiate from 2007 to 2008. Early in the afternoon of July 10, 2007, an Impala bus arrived at the Novitiate with some prospective novices; I was among them. Upon arriving at Manresa House, le maître des novices, Monsieur l’abbé Isaac Kiyaka, SJ, came out with his Secundi, including Natty, to welcome us. That was my first encounter with Natty. From that group standing outside Manresa House, I was thrilled to be in Chicago to witness the Sacerdotal Ordination of Natty.
The celebration in Chicago was an African affair in many ways. A strong representation of 20 African Jesuits from six African provinces attended, along with other guests and friends from the continent. One might think the African Assistancy had a satellite office in Chicago! After the ordination, the Africans gathered at Arrupe House at Loyola University for a party hosted by Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ, who did his regency with Aba Natty at Loyola High School in Dar es Salaam. The day after the festivities, companions and friends came together at Ignatius House for the Thanksgiving Mass of Aba Natty. This was preceded by the blessing of a set of Ethiopian birettas and a black cassock by Bishop Gebresilasie, who then adorned Aba Natty with a white biretta before celebrating his first Mass.
Please join me in wishing Aba Natty all the best in his priestly ministry! Let’s also express our gratitude to UMI and the Comboni Community in Chicago for their overwhelming generosity, support, friendship, and love, which they have shown not only in words but also through their actions (Sp/Ex no. 230) during these festivities. Finally, special thanks to Monsieur l’abbé Kiyaka for planting the seed and nurturing it; it has now borne abundant fruit. Aba Natty is the last of Monsieur’s novices to come to the altar; we sing …Nunc Dimittis…Magnificat… Salve Regina… etc., etc. On behalf of all the companions who passed through your hands, we thank you, Baba Isaac, from the bottom of our hearts. I am sure this beautiful history will repeat itself, in a different form, of course, to our consolation!
