Diaconal Ordination of Friar Colin Mary

We give thanks to God for the ordination of Friar Colin Mary Edwards to the diaconate which took place on 24th March 2018, in the Church attached to the Blackfriars, Oxford, where he has been studying for the past five years.
The ordination, which was attended by many confreres, friends and family, was presided by the Rt. Rev. Robert Byrne of the Congregation of the Oratory, who spoke beautifully in his homily about how, by this ordination, Friar Colin Mary is transfigured into a man totally dedicated to the service of God and his Church, and how this fits in so well with his Franciscan vocation, as he said:
“St Francis will be your example and guide and what a wonderful guide you have! Francis who was especially devoted to meditation on the passion of the Lord will teach you that the ordained ministry is a means by which we remind the world that the sacrificial love of Christ is offered to the whole of humanity.”
After assisting with the Holy Week liturgy in our Church in Manchester Friar Colin Mary will return to our community in Oxford, where he will serve as a Deacon whilst he continues his studies in preparation for ordination to the priesthood next year. We continue to accompany him and pray for him that he grows in holiness and that his ministry be fruitful and a source of grace for many.