On Monday 17th June 2019, Salvatorian Fathers together with Lay Salvatorians, Salvatorian Collaborators and other supportive parishioners from around NSW came together at Pittwater Parish to celebrate the 171st anniversary of the birth of their founder, Fr Francis Jordan, as well as
the 32nd anniversary of the Polish Province of Salvatorians in Australia. Fr Jordan, who was born John Baptist Jordan in Germany in 1848, felt God’s call to found an apostolic movement within the Church which would unify religious and laity to spread the Good News and the Catholic faith around the world. Inspired by the words of the Gospel - “Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3) - he gave all Salvatorians the command and mission not to rest content until all people know, love and serve Jesus as their Saviour. Today, over 3000 Salvatorians (priests, brothers, sisters and laity) are present in 48 countries, dedicating their lives to this call. To commemorate the birth of this wise and inspiring man, a Mass was held at Sacred Heart church, Mona Vale, which was celebrated by the Australian Salvatorians’ Vice Superior, Fr Grzegorz Skulski SDS, and concelebrated by four other Salvatorian Fathers from New South Wales. Following this, all present shared a delicious and enjoyable meal prepared by Pittwater Parish as they rekindled old friendships and developed new networks and bonds both within the community and beyond. Additionally, it was announced on this evening with great excitement that the process of beatification of Fr Jordan, initially started in 1942, had progressed to the next stage. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish the decree on the heroicity of Fr Jordan’s virtues, granting him the title of Venerable. This recognition by the wider Church community of the witness of Fr Francis Jordan during his life gives even greater acknowledgement of his work in proclaiming the Good News to the world and increases the breadth that his inspiration may reach. Fr Francis Jordan continues to be an Apostle for our times today.