Rome: Ordination of Rev Patrick Daly for Brentwood Diocese

Rev Patrick Daly with family & friends

On Friday, 14 June, Rev Patrick Daly, from Our Lady Immaculate Parish, Chelmsford, was Ordained Deacon at St Paul outside the Walls, Rome. Patrick was ordained as one of twelve, including students from Malta, Ireland and Australia, as well as several Dioceses from England and Wales.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Emeritus Archbishop of Westminster, Presided at the Ordinations, and preached about the need for the Deacons to be men of acceptance, forgiveness, and love, modelled on the service and example of Jesus Christ. The setting for the Ordinations was magnificent; St Paul outside the Walls is one of Rome’s major Basilicas, with relics of St Paul in the high altar, and a magnificent mosaic in the apse, depicting Christ with the Apostles and Evangelists.

Patrick’s mother, brothers and sisters were all in Rome for the Ordination, and they were all delighted for Patrick.

There is already a strong family connection to the clergy of the Diocese – Patrick’s uncle was Fr Jack Harden, RIP, a Priest of Brentwood Diocese for many years. Patrick chaired the Deanery Pastoral Council in Chelmsford, and was an active member of the Knights of St Columba, before beginning seminary formation at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome in 2010. He was manager of several branches of the Halifax building society in Essex and East London before feeling called to priesthood; in recognition of his life experience Patrick is on a four year seminary formation programme, and will therefore hopefully be Ordained a Priest for Brentwood Diocese at Our Lady Immaculate in June 2014.

Speaking to the Vocations Director, Fr Dominic Howarth, after the Mass in Rome, Patrick said: “I was very moved by today’s ceremony, and I am very thankful for the tremendous support of my family, and parishioners in OLI, Leigh and Grays [where Patrick has spent time on summer placements]. It is this support which has brought me to today, and I look forward very much to being back in the Diocese.”

This summer Rev Patrick will be on placement with Fr Martin O’Connor at St Bede’s, Chadwell Heath.