Ordination 2026

It’s the first day of the silent Ordination retreat at Holland House. The first service in the beautiful chapel.
In a record-breaking heatwave.
The Priory’s curate bows her head, only to see, with horror, that she’s failed to change out of her flip flops.
Others arrive, some barefoot. Relief! She’s not alone.
As temperatures soared, so footwear was discarded by almost everyone on the retreat. Night Prayer was said outside in the beauty of the sunken garden, to the sound of birdsong, as the golden orange sun set behind the trees.
All agreed, afterwards, that there was something special about receiving Holy Communion, barefoot.

Four days of heatwave silence, prayer, meditation and very inspiring addresses from Bishop Olivia, ended with the swearing of Vows and the Oath of Allegiance, to Bishop Hugh. Silence was lifted, packed lunch bags grabbed and the five priest candidates drove swiftly to Worcester Cathedral for the service of Ordination, where the role of Priest would be added to their existing role of Deacon, through the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the laying on of hands and anointing, by Bishop Hugh.

The Priory congregation turned out in number in support (and were nigh-on impossible to photograph!) and the applause as the new Priests processed out of the Cathedral, sounded immense. A whirl of photos with the Bishop and different groups, as hair, stoles and cassocks were rearranged by the gusty, warm, wind.

Ordained as Priest (but still a Curate, learning from Roger, the Vicar, as her Training Incumbent) Philippa presided at Holy Communion for the first time the next day.
‘The enormity of standing in the footprints of all who have gone before, in peacetime, in war, in hiding, of saints, of martyrs, of Jesus himself. I pray that will remain with me forever’ she reflected afterwards.

A traditional Priory celebration bring and share lunch followed and enjoyed by all; a truly amazing spread of all things delicious and summery, which was expertly served by the Priory’s enthusiastic, all age (aged 7 upwards) catering team, and supported by equally enthusiastic recycling collectors, washer uppers and tablecloth launderers.

Rachel read a beautiful free-verse poem which she had composed for the day (which may appear in the Priory Magazine in due course) and Roger presented a fragrant pale pink rose, ‘Scarborough Fair’, and card signed by the Priory congregation, to a very grateful and somewhat overwhelmed Curate.

Are you thinking about God’s call on your life? Might it be to ordained ministry? Have a word with Roger or Philippa.