In the midst of excitement for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Indonesia, one of the first Indonesian Americans ordained as a Catholic priest in the U.S. is looking back on his journey with a mix of pride and nostalgia. Father Miguel Marie, a Franciscan Missionary of the Eternal Word, is particularly enthusiastic about the Pope’s visit to his homeland, a place he says is vibrant with faith.

A Historic Ordination

Father Miguel, who hails from West Java, Indonesia, moved to northern California with his family when he was just 12 years old. This year, he marks the 20th anniversary of his priestly ordination, a significant milestone not only for him but also for the Indonesian American community in the U.S. Father Miguel’s ordination was a historic first for the 129,000-strong diaspora.

Currently serving at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama, Father Miguel is keenly aware of the importance of Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia. Despite being the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesia is home to over 29 million Christians. According to Pew Research Center’s 2019 report, Indonesians are among the most devout people globally.

The Impact of the Pope’s Visit

Father Miguel expressed his belief that the Pope’s visit will be a powerful affirmation for Indonesian Christians. “The faith is very much alive in Indonesia,” he noted. “Churches are often packed on Sundays, and the attendance rate is higher than in many European countries. The Pope’s visit will surely inspire and reinforce their commitment to their faith.”

Father Miguel’s Early Life and Migration

Father Miguel grew up in Bogor, a city located about 40 miles south of Jakarta, the same city where Pope Francis will visit from September 3–6. During his childhood, Indonesia was under the New Order regime of President Suharto, which was known for its oppressive policies and discrimination against the ethnically Chinese Indonesian community.

His family, of Chinese descent and converts to Catholicism, faced significant challenges. Concerned for their safety, they decided to emigrate to the United States, arriving in California just a week before Mother Angelica founded the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) in Alabama, where Father Miguel would later discover his calling.

Finding a Calling in the U.S.

Adjusting to life in the U.S. was challenging for young Miguel, especially learning English at 12. However, he soon excelled academically, earning a degree in computer information systems from DeVry Institute of Technology. His career as a systems engineer for Electronic Data Systems in San Francisco was going well, but his spiritual journey took a significant turn after attending World Youth Day in Denver in 1993.

Encouraged by his spiritual director, Father Miguel explored the Franciscan community at EWTN. A visit to Alabama, where he witnessed the live filming of EWTN programs, deeply touched him and led him to join the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word in 1996. He made his first profession two years later and was ordained a priest on June 5, 2004, adopting the name Father Miguel in honor of Blessed Miguel Pro.

An Unexpected Milestone

It wasn’t until later that Father Miguel realized he was the first Indonesian to be ordained in the U.S. His role as a pioneer in the U.S. Indonesian Catholic community came to light when a seminarian from Los Angeles invited him to his diocesan ordination, revealing the historical significance of Father Miguel’s ordination through USCCB statistics.

Reflecting on his two decades of priesthood, Father Miguel acknowledges the challenges but credits divine grace for his perseverance. “It hasn’t always been easy,” he said. “But God’s grace has guided me through.”

TDPel Media

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