Fr Matthew Martinez OP, a native of Trinidad in the Caribbean, was ordained priest in his native parish of St Finbar, Port of Spain, on the feast of Blessed Jane of Aza, mother of St Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order.
Fr Joseph Harris CSSp, archbishop of Port of Spain, was the ordaining bishop and was assisted by Robert Rivas OP, archbishop of St Lucia and an Irish Dominican, Jason Gordon, bishop of Barbados, Malcolm Gault, bishop emeritus of Barbados.
St Finbar's church was packed to capacity with parishioners, Fr Matthew's parents, sister, extended family, friends and lively choir.
Approximately forty priests also took part in the celebration, with twelve friars of the Irish Dominican Province, some natives of Trinidad, some who are missionaries there and some who travelled for the occasion.
Fr Matthew was clothed in the priestly vestments by his classmates Fr Luuk Jansen OP and Fr Colm Mannion OP who were ordained in Ireland in July.
Fr Matthew was scheduled to celebration a Mass of Thanksgiving on the evening after his ordination in the same church.
Below are some further images of the ordination ceremony today:
The entrance procession
The examination of the candidate
Bro Matthew prostrate during the Litany of the Saints
An aerial view of the ancient tradition of calling on the saints to intercede for the brother to be ordained.
Fr Matthew is clothed in priestly vestments by Fr Colm Mannion and Fr Luuk Jansen who are classmates of the newly ordained.
Fr Matthew is introduced to the congregation and congratulated by Archbishop Harris
Fr Matthew concelebrates
Fr Matthew greets members of his family during the 'sign of peace' at the ordination Mass.
