It’s fifteen years since I was ordained a priest on 3rd January 1998. Praise the Lord for fifteen wonderful years; and for all the people who have helped me, supported me, guided me, nudged me, worked with me, walked beside me, and consoled me in that time; and for all those I have met and ministered to along the way.
I love dates, and the feast days that providentially come along with them, so I was disappointed all those years ago that 3rd January had no assigned feast day in the universal calendar. The reason for choosing the date was that it was the last Saturday of the Christmas holiday before everyone returned to the English College in Rome for exams, so it meant that friends from seminary could come to the ordination.
You can imagine my delight, therefore, that in the new calendar that comes with the new English translation of the Roman Missal, the restored feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is assigned to this day.
I’ve always had a devotion to the Holy Name. I remember learning and using the ‘Jesus prayer’ even before I became a Catholic; and in times of crisis or temptation I have found the Name of Jesus to be one of the simplest and most powerful weapons we have at hand. So I pray that this new association between my anniversary and his Holy Name will help me to give him even greater praise and glory.
How wonderful! He was just saving this special present of your Feast Day for you …. God bless you Father. Pam (Cornwall)
Congratulations! Of course, the good thing about making vows/being ordained on a feria is that you have more choice over readings and hymns, and can choose what has been most significant in the journey thus far, or what you would most like to express about what you’re doing. But now that you also have a feast, seems like you’ve been given the best of both worlds!
Ad multos annos!
Wonderful! Congratulations Father Stephen.
Ad multos annos!
God bless you today and always Stephen. Congratulations on a wonderful anniversary.
Congratulations!
Happy 15th anniversary. Ad multos annos! Your blog is an interesting open
window on the vibrant Catholic Faith that can and does exist in England. Thanks for the encouragement we find in the pages of your blog.
Father Mac, Kyoto Japan
‘those who are last shall be first’
So worth the wait . . . what a special of special feast days . . .
You must be blessed! Happy xv
Ditto what Tony says. I’m singing for you too.
God bless you Fr Stephen. I give thanks for your priestly ministry….we are indeed blessed. May you continue to be the ‘light of Jesus’ in this world.
Psalm 73 v 25 ‘Who have I in heaven but you and apart from you I desire nothing on earth.’
Happy 15th anniversary. Ad multos annos!
With an abundance of good wishes from all your friends in the Diocese of Nottingham
Congratulations Father! Ad multos annos.
May the Holy name of Jesus be praised through your priesthood!!!
Congratulations Father Stephen! Our Lord sure knows how to pick His own. Thank you for being such a wonderful Father and friend to our family and may our Lord continue to guide you in being an instrument of His Love. Love always from San Diego,CA !!!
Congratulations, Fr Steve.
May the Holy Name of Jesus bless you and your ministry!
Rev Mark Zacker
Corpus Christi Parish
Colorado Springs
It’s good to hear from you Fr Mark! Best wishes.
How wonderful Father Stephen! Thank you for all you do on your (all too rare) visits to Blessed Sacrament Parish. You always have something revelatory to tell us. Many congratulations and God’s speed on the journey.
Robin
Congratulations Father Stephen! I’m not sure if you remember me… I attended your bible study sessions in Cambridge about 10 years ago when I was an undergraduate. You have always been such an inspiration. :) At which church do you give homilies in London? I would love to hear you speak when I visit the UK!
Fr. Stephen — Congratulations from your old Blackfriars friend, Michael Severance. Just found this post a random for a providential hello from Rome!