On Saturday 27th July, Revv Julian Davies and Benjamin Woodley were ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Westminster in the presence of family, friends and parishioners from a number of parishes where both men have served. The ordination Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Vincent at Westminster Cathedral. Among the concelebrants were Bishops John Sherrington, Nicholas Hudson and Michael Campbell OSA, priests from Westminster as well as a number of other dioceses of England and Wales.
The candidates were presented by both Canon Roger Taylor, Rector of Allen Hall, where Rev Julian studied, and Mgr Philip Whitmore, Rector of the Venerable English College, where Rev Benjamin studied.
The Cardinal said in his homily that ‘there was a deep sense of fulfilment about today, as that intention of God, pondered over so steadfastly in prayerful discernment, comes to this decisive moment.’
He thanked ‘all who have encouraged each of these men along this path and who love them so much in this moment of thankfulness’.
Declaring that the Holy Spirit is ‘the decisive actor in this event’, he said: ‘Only by the gift of God can this change take place in the consecration of these two men as priests of the New Covenant.’
He added that this is also a beginning: ‘Shortly Julian and Benjamin will take their places among the priests of the diocese, as co-workers with the bishops, in service of the mission we all share.’
This mission, he said, ‘requires the work of the Holy Spirit to bring it about,’ noting that in society, ‘there is little or no shared vision around which to gather; our culture offers no reason or encouragement to offer forgiveness to those who do willful damage and harm.’
Offering the new life which flows from the cross of Christ, he said, ‘is our task, in word, sacrament and example.’
From September, Fr Julian is appointed Assistant Priest at the Parish of St Alban and St Stephen in St Albans and Fr Benjamin is appointed Assistant Priest at the Parish Our Lady in St John’s Wood.
Please keep our two new priests in your prayers.
Photos: Mazur/Catholicnews.org.uk. Additional photos from the Mass are available here.
