As a youngster in Indonesia, Father Wilhelmus Jemada SVD was the last person his family thought would become a priest.
In his culture, becoming a religious or a priest is considered one of the most valuable ways to serve the community, he said. Families often encourage vocations and hope that at least one member will dedicate their life to the Church.
Father Jemada’s family supported the idea of a priestly vocation, but when he was younger, he was not the one whom people expected would become a priest, he said with a laugh.
Father Jemada admitted that as a child, he was sometimes considered undisciplined. Few imagined that he would one day pursue religious life, yet vocation often grows in unexpected ways.
Father Jemada’s vocation was shaped by the strong missionary presence in his homeland of Flores, Indonesia. For many years, missionaries from European countries served the local Church there.
They built seminaries, founded schools and worked closely with the people. Among these institutions were minor seminaries where boys could begin exploring a possible vocation to priesthood or religious life.
By the age of eighteen, Father Jemada began to recognize the value and need for missionary service. Inspired by the missionaries who had shaped the Church in his community, he felt called to follow a similar path. What began as admiration gradually developed into a deeper sense of mission.
The missionaries left a deep impression on the young people who encountered them. Their way of life was different and inspiring. They had left their families and countries to serve others in a distant land, demonstrating courage and deep faith.
For Father Jemada, their witness sparked curiosity about religious life and the possibility of becoming a missionary himself.
His formation eventually took him far from home. Father Jemada studied in Slovakia for six years. During this time, he deepened his theological education and prepared for priestly ministry.
After his studies, he was invited to remain in Slovakia, and he was ordained there in 2008. His missionary vocation, however, was not meant to remain in one place.
Shortly after his ordination, Father Jemada was sent to Chile, arriving in November 2008. This assignment reflected the global mission of the Society of the Divine Word.
Even before arriving, he had a dream. He wanted to learn Spanish and understand Latin American culture. His desire was not simply to work in another country, but to truly know the people and their way of life.
His missionary service in Chile began in parish ministry at the Parroquia del Espíritu Santo (Parish of the Holy Spirit) in Fresia, where he served for eight months. Parish life allowed him to connect with families and accompany people in their daily spiritual lives.
Soon after, he became deeply involved in educational ministry at SVD schools like Colegio Germania del Verbo Divino, Colegio Verbo Divino and Liceo Aleman del Verbo Divino where he served for 16 years.
In the school environment, Father Jemada’s mission expanded beyond traditional pastoral work. He organized pastoral activities, celebrated the sacraments, and worked closely with students, teachers and families.
Education became a central part of his missionary vocation. He helped guide the spiritual formation of the school community and supported programs that encouraged faith, service and personal development.
Over time, Father Jemada took on significant leadership responsibilities. He served as principal and worked as a legal representative for schools.
His goal was to ensure that the schools fulfilled their Catholic mission by forming students intellectually, morally and spiritually. For him, education is an essential part of missionary work because it shapes future generations and helps communities grow in faith and responsibility.
Now Father Jemada is a member of the Chicago Province. In this next chapter, he is a part of the pastoral team of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Lakewood, N.J.
“Being a missionary in the United States is a great responsibility,” he said.
The country’s cultural diversity requires missionaries to learn how to communicate effectively and to understand the spiritual needs of different communities, he said.
Father Jemada’s experience in South America taught him the importance of collaboration.
“Missionary work is not done alone,” he said. “It requires teamwork with fellow missionaries, priests, religious brothers and lay leaders. Building strong community life among missionaries and with the people they serve is essential for effective ministry.
He continued, “At the heart of his missionary vision is the call to be a light for others.”