Ordination of Stephen Trafford to the Sacred Priesthood
Stephen Trafford is ordained to the Sacred Priesthood
On 19 July at St George’s Cathedral, Stephen Trafford was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by Archbishop John Wilson.
In a joyous service, Stephen was joined by family, friends and many others who came together to celebrate his ordination.
The ordination was led by Archbishop John Wilson, who welcomed Father Stephen into the Catholic Church.
In his homily, Archbishop John said:
“Today, Stephen, you forsake everything for your first-love, for the Lord Jesus, and for his Church, and for his people. You will stand among us as a mature man of Christ. You will stand among us with the freedom of a beloved son of the Father. You will stand among us bearing in your soul, from the inside out, the priestly servant-stature of our risen Saviour. For us, you will act in Christ’s very person.”
The Archbishop said he has “no doubt” that Stephen was ready for the priesthood, he said:
“I have no doubt that you are ready for ordination to the priesthood to which the Lord Jesus has called you through his Church. Everyone here believes this. It does not mean you are perfect. Today you become Father Stephen, not Saint Stephen. You will sense your unworthiness, similar to that of the Prophet Jeremiah. When called by the Lord, he was neither sure what to say or what to do. But as the Lord reached out to him, so the Lord reaches out to you. Be at peace. What matters most is God wants you to be his priest. Know too, that we want you to be our priest, a priest with us and a priest for us.”
The Rite of Ordination followed the Archbishop’s homily, which saw Stephen kneel before the Archbishop and make a promise of obedience. Stephen prostrated himself during the Litany of Saints, which was followed by the Laying of Hands and a Prayer of Consecration. Father Stephen, as a newly ordained priest, stood and was vested with the stole and chasuble.
At the end of Mass, Father Stephen offered a first blessing to the thousands in attendance.
Please pray for Father Stephen as he begins his life in the Sacred Priesthood.
If you feel called to the Priesthood, please visit our vocations page.
