Another new beginning

August 25, 2020 in coronavirus, Featured News, Featured Podcasts, News

Irish Jesuit Niall Leahy was ordained to the priesthood today at 2pm in St Francis Xavier church, Gardiner Street Dublin, on Saturday 22 August 2020.

The ordaining bishop was Alan McGuckian SJ, the Irish Jesuit bishop of Raphoe diocese in Donegal. Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the numbers of guests and concelebrants were limited.

On the altar were the Irish Jesuit Provincial, Leonard Moloney, and Terry Howard SJ, who was the MC. The ceremony took place on the feast of the Queenship of Mary. It was live-streamed from Gardiner Street website.

In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications Niall reflects on his ordination and the challenges to the day posed by Covid-19.

He recounts how he still felt the presence of the Spirit especially when he prayed in silence before the ceremony, at the tomb of fellow Jesuit Blessed John Sullivan SJ. He also notes the importance of the presence of his fellow Jesuits and his family.

He tells Pat about his vocation and the ten years he spent studying and working as a Jesuit before his ordination. And he looks forward to his moving to Paris for a year to conclude his studies in theology.