Three new deacons for Irish Dominicans

Newly ordained deacons (left to right) Maurice Colgan OP, Brian Doyle OP and Denis Murphy OP with Archbishop Martin of Dublin.

The Irish Dominicans Friars celebrated on Sunday 2nd January as three of their young brothers were ordained deacons by the Archbishop of Dublin (also primate of Ireland), Diarmuid Martin. 

Brothers Denis Murphy, Maurice Colgan and Brian Doyle were joined by parishioners, family, friends and Dominican confrères in St Saviour's Church, Dominick Street, Dublin for 11.30am conventual Mass.

They were ordained as deacons in preparation for priestly ordination in the near future. Between them, they have been studying for the priesthood in the Dominican Order in Dublin, Maynooth, Oxford and Fribourg (Switzerland) for several years.

Below are images taken during the celebration. If you are copying these images, please credit Irish Dominican Vocations blog.

The deacon sings the Gospel

Archbishop Martin preaches

Archbishop Martin preaching at the ambo

Br Denis promises obedience to his ordinary (the prior provincial)

Brother Maurice promises obedience.

Brother Brian promises obedience.

The three brothers about to be ordained lie prostrate before the altar, a sign of their total availabiliy to God's work.

Dominican Student brothers David McGovern and Stephen Hackett lead the singing of the Litany of the Saints while the three brothers to be ordained lie prostrate before the altar.

The archbishop lays his hands on the head of Br Denis - an ancient, biblical sign of passing on the power associated with a ministry.

The archbishop imposes his hands on the head of Br Maurice.

Archbishop Martin lays his hands on the head of Brother Brian.

The new deacons are clothed in the liturgical vestments of their Order: the stole worn only on the left shoulder and the dalmatic, a vestment matching that of the priest in colour but with sleeves and, traditionally, decorated with two vertical stripes and two horizontal stripes. Br Denis is vested by Fr Fergal MacEoinín, prior of the Dominican community, The Claddagh, Galway city. Br Maurice is clothed by a deacon of the diocese of Cork & Ross - Rev Anthony Buckley. Br Brian is clothed by his brother, Fr James Doyle, priest of the diocese of Ferns.

Br Denis receives the book of the Gospels: "Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach". It is the deacon's special care in the liturgy to proclaim the Gospel reading.

Brother Maurice receives the book of the Gospels from the archbishop.

Brother Brian, Receive the book of the Gospels...

The archbishop gives the sign of peace to newly ordained deacon, Br Denis.

Br Maurice receives the sign of peace.

Brother Brian receives the sign of peace from archbishop Martin.

Please keep our newly ordained deacons in your prayers.