When an Only Child Answers God’s Call

Being an only child places a person at the absolute center of their family’s universe. They are the sole source of comfort, the custodian of lifelong hopes, and the solitary witness to their parents’ sacrifices in building a home. Yet, for some, this profound closeness gives rise to an even more radical leap of faith: surrendering their entire lives to God and the Church.

Such a monumental decision inevitably sparks deep inner turmoil. Parents must quietly set aside their own egos, expectations, and dreams for their twilight years. It requires a painful but beautiful letting go—relinquishing a part of their very soul as their child enters the monastery, dons the religious habit, and eventually receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Ultimately, the family must accept a poignant reality: the sole heir to their lineage now belongs entirely to the faithful.

A striking example of this profound self-surrender unfolded during Father Amadea’s first Mass at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Mangga Besar Parish, Jakarta. Held on the afternoon of Sunday, August 16, the celebration beautifully coincided with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a fitting backdrop for a life entirely given away.

Mary and the Courage to Fully Offer Herself

In the Book of Revelation, we encounter a breathtaking vision: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars upon her head. This powerful image signifies the celestial glory of Mother Mary.

Yet, Mary is not God. She was a human, uniquely chosen and prepared by God to participate in the history of salvation by becoming the mother of Jesus Christ. What made her truly extraordinary was her radical willingness to surrender her life to the divine will. This absolute readiness was the key; the heavenly glory she received is inseparable from her ultimate, faithful “Yes” to the Lord.

For believers, this call to self-surrender is universal, even if the paths look different for everyone. This same spirit of giving compels individuals to embrace the religious life—whether as a priest, brother, or sister—even when answering that call means offering one’s life as an only child.

An Only Child Freely Offered: A hundredfold return

Within this context, the Society of Jesus welcomes Father Amadea, a Jesuit priest ordained in July 2026. Born in Semarang, he is an only child. Beside him stands Father Ray Popo, a Jakarta-born Jesuit ordained in the same cohort. As only children, their vocational paths were deeply intertwined with their parents’ lives. Joining them in this unique experience is Scholastic Barry, a theology student from the Parish of Mangga Besar who is likewise an only child. The parents of these three Jesuits share a profound grace: the willingness to freely let go of their only children so they may answer the call to religious life. This parental surrender is a form of self-giving no less significant than the vows their sons make.

Jesus promised that whoever leaves everything behind to follow Him will receive it back a hundredfold. This promise is visibly fulfilled in the lives of these parents. Father Amadea reflects that while his childhood home once held only three people, his family has now expanded across the globe.

To reach this point, Jesuits undergo an extensive formation journey, spanning from the novitiate through rigorous studies in philosophy and theology. They are formed to excel holistically-intellectual depth, non-academic skills, and spiritual maturity all converge. Philosophy equips them to question and seek truth, while theology anchors them in a deeper understanding of faith and the mystery of salvation. After completing this comprehensive formation and meeting the Church’s canonical requirements, they receive Holy Orders. This ordination initiates a new chapter of total self-surrender; they no longer view their lives as personal possessions, but as offerings to the Church and humanity. Consecrated as priests, they become ever more effective channels of God’s mercy to the world.

Self-Giving through Various Paths

At the same time, we must recognize that this radical self-giving is not reserved exclusively for the priesthood or religious life. Every person is called to offer their best—whether through professional excellence, compassionate care, intentional time, or dedicated effort—within their families, workplaces, parishes, and the wider community. Every act of service, no matter how quiet, can become a vital channel for God’s mercy.

The journey of these young Jesuits, and indeed, of all of us, reminds us that learning, working, serving, and even the painful act of leaving home behind find their true meaning when lived as a total offering to God and humanity.

For an only child, surrendering one’s future to God does not mean losing one’s family. On the contrary, when a person gives of themselves sincerely, they discover a far larger family built on service, fellowship, and love.

Ultimately, following the luminous example of Mother Mary, the path to true glory is never measured by what we hold onto, but by how courageously we say “Yes” when the Lord invites us to give ourselves away.