Its always a great joy to witness the ordination of deacons and priests at the cathedral.
The new deacons will be wearing clerical collars for the first time and along with their friends and relatives have only a hazy idea of what lies ahead. Those becoming priest, with a year’s experience of the joys and challenges of ordination, have a greater idea of what they are taking on. Though well-prepared, the ordinands are often excited, shy, awe-struck, and apprehensive, all at the same time.
I’ve never forgotten, on the day of my ordination as priest, at Ripon, in July 1994, amidst the excitement of the day that there was also some trepidation. It was the first time that women had been ordained priest and there was the possibility of protest. As we gathered outside the cathedral West End, with perfect timing, a flock of doves circled overhead, flew down and up and away again. It felt as though we’d been given confirmation of our prayer invoking the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Last weekend the Cathedral hosted the ordinations of 18 deacons and 16 priests to serve in the parishes and chaplaincies of Winchester diocese. This is one of the highlights of the year for the Cathedral, in its role as Mother Church. We pray for the ordinands and for the ministry of the whole people of God, recognising that everyone has their part to play in the ministry of the whole church.
If I could gift the ordinands one thing, I would give them the assurance that, whatever happens in their lives now, by God’s grace, can make them a more loving and caring priest. The most wonderful people, in my life, have often been those who have experienced failure and sadness, mess and mistake, and who show me that this can all be transformed into greater self-understanding and compassion and understanding for others.
St Aelred, English Abbot of Rievaulx in the 12th century, wrote in praise of two of our patron saints, Peter and Paul, describing them as pillars supporting the Church by their teaching, prayers and patience. ‘In the beginning they were very weak and could not support either themselves or others. This had been wonderfully arranged by Our Lord, for if they had always been strong, one might have thought their strength was their own…they would be unable to pity the weaknesses of others unless they had first experienced their own weakness.’
As we wait for news of our next Diocesan Bishop please pray for our new clergy, and those already in ministry, please pray for the ministry of the whole people of God and that the Church may grow in grace and love, to offer a warm welcome to all Gods children.
I do hope that you will be able to take part in, and enjoy all the worship and events at the cathedral during July, including the St Swithun weekend and the Liturgy of the Foundation on July 16 at 10.00am.
I’ll close with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, by Eric Milner-White in which we can ask for grace and freedom to serve:
Enter my heart, O Holy Spirit,
Come in blessed mercy and set me free.
Throw open, O Lord, the locked doors of my mind;
Cleanse the chambers of my thought for thy dwelling:
Light there the fires of thine own holy brightness in new understandings of truth,
O Holy Spirit, very God, whose presence is liberty,
Grant me the perfect freedom to be thy servant
Today, tomorrow, evermore.
Amen.
Please take care of yourself and others.
With blessings and best wishes,
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle
Dean of Winchester
