By Ann Marie Foley - 05 April, 2018
Left to right: Anthony Briody, and Declan McGeehan.Photo: John Briody
Two members of the same Donegal family have now been ordained. Fr Joseph Briody was present to see his brother Anthony, ordained Deacon on Easter Tuesday, 3rd April.
In the Basilica of Saint Prassede, Rome, Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe, ordained two seminarians to the diaconate, namely Reverend Anthony Briody, from the Diocese of Raphoe, and Reverend Declan McGeehan, from the Diocese of Derry. The two deacons live at the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, where they are studying for the priesthood.
In his homily drawing on the Gospel of the day, Bishop McGuckian reminded the two candidates of Mary Magdala’s capacity to follow the Lord even when it seemed as though all was lost. The Bishop urged the two new deacons to live a lifelong commitment to diaconal service especially after ordination as priests.
Reverend Anthony Briody who hails from Glenties, Co Donegal, was a Human Resources Manager, and Reverend Declan McGeehan who has previously been on placement in Derry, are in their fifth year of formation for the priesthood.
Present at their ordination was Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, Rector of the Pontifical Irish College, who said, “On behalf of everyone at the Pontifical Irish College, I congratulate our two new deacons on their ordination. I wish them every happiness and blessing as they commence their diaconal ministries of service, of charity and of leadership in prayer and liturgy. May they experience God’s grace anew in their lives so that they may courageously proclaim the Gospel in word and deed, generously serving the people of God in their dioceses with care and compassion.”
The new deacons with Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop Philip Boyce OCD, staff of the Pontifical Irish College, Anthony’s brother, Father Joseph Briody, and the acolytes who served the Mass of Ordination. Photo: John Briody
Also present was Bishop Philip Boyce OCD, the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Dromore. Family members and friends of the new deacons travelled from Ireland. They were joined by seminarians from a number of other seminaries in the city who served the ordination Mass at the Basilica of St Prassede. The Basilica was rebuilt in the ninth century and contains the remains of Praxedes (Prassede), her sister, and innumerable martyrs.
Ordination as a transitional deacon generally occurs after a seminarian has completed at least three years of study in theology. In addition to their assignments as transitional deacons, Reverend Briody and Reverend McGeehan will spend the next year completing their priestly formation.
Transitional deacons carry out the same ministry as permanent deacons and are able to preside at weddings; assist the priest at Mass; proclaim the Gospel and preach, as well as preside at wakes and funeral services.
