Eoin Casey OP makes profession in the hands of the prior, fr Edward Conway OP. “I’m more and more convinced that the most important task of a priest is to be an agent and minister of God’s compassion and mercy”, writes Father Martin Delaney
Eoin Casey OP is one of eight Dominicans who will be ordained to the priesthood in Dublin on July 9. Eoin is from my parish in Rathdowney, Co. Laois.
Dear Eoin, As I write this letter you have less than two weeks to go before you are ordained a priest. Your ordination comes just four days and 30 years since I was ordained myself. The coincidence of these two dates calls me to reflect on my experience of priesthood and perhaps share something of that reflection with you.
I’m drawn back to the ordination ceremony itself and some of the words and phrases which are unique to that rite. At the very beginning of the rite someone will say “let Eoin Casey who is to be ordained please come forward” you will respond, “present”.
Turmoil
As I reflect on 30 years that little word, present, has defined so much of what my life and ministry has been about. Despite the turmoil of the last 20 years and the loss of so much of the Church’s credibility in our country, a priest still has such privileged access to people’s lives.
In good times and in bad, people invite us in to share their joys and sorrows and the quality of our ‘presence’ can have a lasting effect on their lives. Being present to people has something to do with our own personalities, our ability to listen to, empathise and engage but it also has so much to do with whom we represent.
I’m more and more convinced that the most important task of a priest is to be an agent and minister of God’s compassion and mercy. You are being ordained as a Dominican, the Order of Preachers. Preaching the Word of God will be a special charism for you in your ministry. I pray that through your preaching many will come to know a God who loves them and is filled with mercy and compassion.
Conscience
The other phrase from the ordination rite which always jumps out at me is: “may the example of your life attract the followers of Christ” . During any examination of conscience over the last 30 years, that phrase always featured significantly and to be honest, there have been times when I failed badly to live up to that pretty haunting command.
I know that as you have travelled the journey to priesthood, there have been many people in your life whose example and love have attracted you to be a follower of Christ.
After July 9, you will not only be a follower of Christ but also a powerful minister of Christ and with your gentle, prayerful presence you will attract many people to Him and His message.
Eoin, I wish you every blessing and I hope and pray that the happiness and fulfilment I have experienced over the last 30 years will be yours one hundred fold.
– Martin
Blame the Bishop! A priest leaving the parish, addressed his saddened parishioners and tried to console them by revealing that the bishop had promised he would send a good man as a replacement. One woman, however, was inconsolable. “Why?” enquired the concerned but departing priest, “Didn’t the bishop say he would send a good man in my place?”
“Yes that’s just it,” she cried. “He said that the last time too!”
A Blessing for Priesthood
May the blessings released through your hands
Cause windows to open in darkened minds.
May the sufferings your calling brings
Be but winter before the spring.
May the companionship of your doubt
Restore what your beliefs leave out.
May the secret hungers of your heart
Harvest from emptiness its sacred fruit.
May your solitude be a voyage
Into the wilderness and wonder of God.
May your words have the prophetic edge
To enable the heart to hear itself.
May the silence where your calling dwells
Foster your freedom in all you do and feel.
May you find words full of divine warmth
To clothe the dying in the language of dawn.
May the slow light of the Eucharist
Be a sure shelter around your future.
John O’Donohue
Benedictus –
A Book of Blessings (2007)