With grateful hearts, in these next few weeks Bishop Mark Davies will Ordain two new priests in Shrewsbury Cathedral

‍
Sat 27th June | 12 noon Deacon Gerard Connett will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Shrewsbury Cathedral.
Sat 4th July | 12 noon Deacon Kevin Hogan will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Shrewsbury Cathedral.

A Prayer for Deacon Gerard Connett & Deacon Kevin Hogan
On the Occasion of Their Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood Shrewsbury Cathedral

Heavenly Father,
You who call and You who consecrate — we thank You for the gift of these two men, Deacon Gerard Connett and Deacon Kevin Hogan, who are preparing to be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in the coming weeks at Shrewsbury Cathedral.
May Your Holy Spirit rest upon them. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, keep them close to her Son. May they be holy, humble, and zealous shepherds — faithful to the Gospel, generous in mercy, and tireless in service.
To all who read these words: please pray for Gerard and Kevin in the days ahead. The Church needs holy priests, and your prayers matter.
Come, Holy Spirit. Kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Amen.

How to watch the Ordination Live Online

Can't be there in person? You are still invited to join in prayer!
The Ordination Mass will be streamed live via the Shrewsbury Cathedral webcam, so that all who wish to witness this sacred moment can do so from wherever they are.
Simply visit the Shrewsbury Cathedral website to access the live stream and unite yourself spiritually with all those gathered in the Cathedral on this historic and joyful day.

‍

The Key Elements of a Priestly Ordination Mass

1. Calling & Presentation Each candidate is called by name and presented to the Bishop and the assembled faithful.
2. Election & Consent The Bishop declares the candidate worthy. The congregation gives their assent.
3. Homily The Bishop instructs the candidates and faithful on the meaning and demands of the priesthood.
4. Promises Each candidate makes solemn promises of celibacy and obedience to the Bishop.
5. Litany of the Saints & Prostration The candidate prostrates himself before the altar while the saints are called upon to intercede — a powerful image of total surrender to God.
6. Laying on of Hands (The Essential Rite) The Bishop — and then every priest present — lays hands on each candidate in silence. This ancient gesture, unbroken since the Apostles, confers the gift of the Holy Spirit.
7. Prayer of Ordination The Bishop's solemn consecratory prayer seals the sacrament.
8. Vesting The newly ordained are clothed in stole and chasuble — visible signs of their new priestly office.
9. Anointing of the Hands The hands that will consecrate the Eucharist are anointed with Sacred Chrism.
10. Presentation of Gifts The Bishop places the chalice and paten into the new priest's hands for the first time.
11. Kiss of Peace The Bishop and brother priests welcome the newly ordained into the presbyterate.
12. First Eucharist & Blessing The new priest celebrates the Eucharist for the first time, and imparts his first priestly blessing.

‍

You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek. — Psalm 110:4

‍