Sixty Years A Priest

The Holy Father celebrated 60 years of priesthood by doing what he has done every day of his priesthood, he celebrated Mass. This Mass on this feast and in St Peter's Basilica is the particular occasion when the pope gives the pallium to new archbishops. Archbishop Stack of Cardiff received his pallium. Philip Andrews, a follower of this modest blog, was spotted serving Mass. Philip is a seminarian for the archdiocese of Southwark. The seminarians of England & Wales are pictured with Pope Benedict at Oscott at the end of the Pope's visit to these shores last September. Today in Arundel & Brighton we had our own jubilee celebrations at the cathedral. My beloved predecessor, Canon Eric Flood, celebrates 50 years of priesthood this year although alas, he was too sick to join us. We looked forward to David King's ordination in a few weeks time. Three priests of the Ordininariate of Our Lady of Walsingham from this area were present. They spoke of the warmth of welcome they had received, which is heartening. It is an amazing gift to be in communion with Peter.