Double Celebration

The Redemptorists and the parish of St Patrick's, Edinburgh, hosted a double celebration for Brother Dominic O'Toole. At the 11am Mass on Sunday 28th September, Brother Dominic took his final vows as a Redemptorist, and on the following Tuesday he was ordained to the Diaconate.

Fr Ronnie McAinsh CSsR, as Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists, received Br Dominic's vows, telling the congregation that this was a celebration of a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ, made out of love for him; Br Dominic was taking perpetual vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, along with a vow of Perseverance, so he could follow his call to walk more closely with Christ, and preach the Gospel, especially to the poor. This was no light undertaking — and something increasingly rare in Britain, as vocations to Religious Life have continued to decline.

Cardinal O'Brien ordaining Br Dominic to the Diaconate on the Feast of St Jerome, emphasized the importance of the Scriptures. Quoting the 4th Century saint, who translated the Scriptures, the Cardinal said, 'Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ'; as a Deacon, he told Br Dominic, 'you are to believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach', emphasising that he was to serve God's people in the Church.

Br Dominic, originally from Somerset, has been a member of the Edinburgh Redemptorist community since 2001, studying at Scotus seminary, and gaining experience of pastoral ministry in Britain, Ireland, Austria, Singapore and the Philippines. He has now been appointed to St Mary's, Clapham (London) to be part of a new mission project, and is due to be ordained to the priesthood in Clapham on 14th February next year by Cardinal O'Brien.

The Celebrants included Redemptorists from Britain, Ireland, the Philippines, Borneo, The Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, along with diocesan priests from various parts of Scotland. Ministers from other churches included Rev. Neil Gardner of Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh; Canon Ian Paton of Old St Paul's, Edinburgh, and Rev. Jamie Schmelling of the Iona Community.

The congregation included Br Dominic's parents Ann & John, and his sister Jane, friends of Br Dominic, parishioners of St Patrick's, and members of Religious Congregations from the Archdiocese.

Fr Ronnie McAinsh CSsR, Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists with Cardinal O'Brien and Dominic.

Deacon Dominic with his mother Ann,father John, sister Jane and the Cardinal after the Ordination.

Fr Ed Hone helps Dominic cut the celebration cake after the Ordination mass.

Photography by Paul Mc Sherry

Pictures available from pictures@paulmcsherry.co.uk

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