On June 26, 2025, Dickson Tiwelfil, SJ, was ordained to the priesthood in Yap, Micronesia by Most Reverend Julio Angkel, Bishop of the Diocese of the Caroline Islands. Dickson was born and raised on Wottegai Woleai, a small island of Yap. He now embarks on his vocation to serve the Catholic Church and the people of God, beginning with a pastoral year in Micronesia. He is pictured above with Fr. Provincial Joseph O’Keefe, SJ.
Dickson was baptized by the late Fr. John Hagileiram, SJ, who was the first Jesuit priest from the outer islands of Yap. Fr. Hagileiram became an inspiration to Dickson because of his creativity and style in both the content and the delivery of his homilies. During Dickson’s freshman year of high school, another newly ordained Jesuit priest from Satawal Island, the late Fr. Kenneth Urumolug, SJ, came to do his pastoral year on Woleai. Fr. Urumolug became the second Jesuit from the outer islands of Yap who, along with Fr. Hagileiram, made a great impact on Dickson’s consideration for priesthood.
Click here to watch the full Ordination Mass.
