Mags Gargan
Last weekend saw four dioceses welcoming newly ordained priests, including the new holder of the title of Ireland’s youngest priest.
Fr David Vard, 25, was ordained by Bishop Denis Nulty for the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin in his home parish of Newbridge on Sunday.
Fr David began his priestly studies immediately after his Leaving Cert in 2010, aged 18 and he has been appointed a curate in Portlaoise, taking up the appointment in August.
The Diocese of Down & Connor’s first non-national priest was ordained by Bishop Noel Treanor in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast on Sunday. Fr Manuelito Milo was born in the Philippines and entered a seminary there in 2006.
The following year he moved to Northern Ireland and commenced his seminary formation in St Malachy’s Seminary, Belfast.
Fr John Magner was ordained for service in the Diocese of Cloyne on Sunday in St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork.
A native of Castletownroche, he entered the seminary aged 18 at St Patrick’s College, Carlow in 1964, but did not complete his priestly studies.
He later met and married Maria O’Mahony and had two daughters, Gemma and Emily. His wife passed away in 2005 and he resumed his studies for the priesthood in 2012.
Meanwhile in Glenstal Abbey in Co. Limerick Bro. Denis Hooper OSB was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly on Saturday. Fr Denis has been a monk of Glenstal for over 30 years.