Joyful celebrations in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh on Saturday, 9th May, as three new priests are ordained.

The Archdiocese of Armagh marked a joyful occasion on Saturday 9 May as Archbishop Eamon Martin ordained Gabriel Neal, Jacek Tuszkiewicz and Paul O’Reilly to the priesthood in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

Family members, friends, clergy, parishioners and members of the wider diocesan community gathered for the ordination Mass, which Archbishop Eamon described as a moment of deep thanksgiving for the Church.

In his homily, Archbishop Eamon reflected on the generosity and courage required in responding to God’s call in the modern world, encouraging the newly ordained priests to remain close to Christ and close to the people they are called to serve. 

The ordinations bring to twelve the number of priestly ordinations in the Archdiocese of Armagh in recent years and were received as a sign of encouragement and hope for the local Church.

The three new priests reflect the international character of priestly life within the Archdiocese today. Fr Gabriel Neal comes from the United States, Fr Jacek Tuszkiewicz from Poland, and Fr Paul O’Reilly from Cork. Together, their different backgrounds and experiences speak to the universal nature of the Catholic Church and the richness of vocation across cultures and communities.

The Archdiocese also acknowledged the role of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and formation community in Dundalk, where the newly ordained priests undertook years of spiritual, pastoral, academic and human formation.

The faithful of the Archdiocese are asked to continue to keep Fr Gabriel, Fr Jacek and Fr Paul in their prayers as they begin their priestly ministry in service of God’s people.

A Prayer for the Newly Ordained Priest

Heavenly Father,
we give you thanks for the gift of Fr Gabriel, Fr Jacek and Fr Paul.
Priests newly ordained to the priesthood
for the service of your people here in the Archdiocese of Armagh.

You have called them by name
and entrusted them with the care of your Church.
Strengthen them now with the grace of the Holy Spirit,
that they may serve with humility, courage and compassion.

Keep them close to Christ the Good Shepherd,
faithful in prayer, generous in service,
and attentive to the joys and wounds of those they meet.

When ministry is demanding, sustain them.
When they grow weary, renew them.
When they rejoice, deepen their gratitude.
May their lives always point others towards your love and mercy.

Bless too their families, friends, formators,
and all who have accompanied them on the path to priesthood.

Through the intercession of Saints Patrick, Brigid, Malachy and Olover
Our Lady, Mother of Priests,
and all the saints of Ireland.
May they guide and protect them in the years ahead.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.