Posted On 2009-10-07 In Covenant Life

Dear Blessed Mother, you also have watched over Simon every day of his life

Fr. Simon Donnelly at his first Holy Mass in the Shrine in Bedfordview, Johannesburg  - Photo: Tish HoldingSOUTH AFRICA, Sarah-Leah Pimentel. The entire heavenly host must sing for joy and give praise to God whenever one His children freely chooses to be a servant of Christ by becoming a priest. And there certainly was no doubt that God’s angels were present at Simon Donnelly’s ordination at Christ the King Cathedral, the heart of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Newly ordained Fr. Simon blessing his parents - Photo: Tina Sonderup, PressPlay FilmsTo say that this was a special day is an understatement. There are many people in our Schoenstatt Family and beyond who have been waiting for this day with bated breath for well over a year now.

And finally, on 13 September, the day finally arrived. The cathedral was filled with representatives from numerous parishes across Johannesburg, the Schoenstatt Family in Gauteng, Simon’s family and friends. Many other priests were also present to concelebrate and participate in this moment of grace. The liturgy had been prepared with great care and love, bringing together the rich depth of our time-honoured Catholic heritage but also the atmosphere that characterises our South African churches with hymns sung in the local languages, accompanied by dancing and ululating (a sign of joyous celebration).

Imposition of hands - Photo: Tina Sonderup, PressPlay Films SA ccEveryone watched with bated breath as Simon made his vows and was ordained by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale. There were many joyful tears when Simon’s parents came forward to present their son with the stole, chasuble, chalice and paten which he will use in his priestly service. This truly was a moment of grace which we were honoured to witness.

Prayer for Fr Simon

While there is so much more that I could say, I would much rather dedicate the following prayer to a dear friend, Fr. Simon Donnelly as he begins his priestly life in this Year of the Priest:

Accept, oh Lord...“Father in heaven, you called your son, Simon, and set him aside for the special task you had planned for him in your mercy and love. We thank you having giving us a priest whose very nature is patient and humble and who has already touched the lives of many with his kindness.

May he always use these gifts to comfort all those who are anguished, be a friend to those who have been abandoned by this world, to be a teacher to all those who come to him for instruction and show compassion for all hearts you will entrust to him, but above all, may he reflect your love in each of his priestly tasks every day of his life.

Protect him, Father, from all those who would destroy his priesthood by granting him wisdom to discern the true needs of each human heart he meets.

Dear Blessed Mother, you also have watched over Simon every day of his life, filling him with immense graces from the day he was baptised in your Shrine. Watch over him always, form him and guide him as he grows in faith, love and wisdom. Amen.”

Fr. Simon also celebrated a number of thanksgiving masses at several parishes in Johannesburg and Cape Town. These included Masses at the Shrines in Bedfordview (Johannesburg) and Constantia (Cape Town):

Mass on 15 September 2009 at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Bedfordview

In the Shrine in Bedfordview - Photo: Tish HoldingTish Holding shares on the Holy Mass on September 15: “On Tuesday 15th September 2009, we were so pleased and proud to welcome newly ordained Fr. Simon Donnelly, his parents, brother priests, deacon Justin Wylie and friends to a Holy Mass of thanksgiving in our Aurum Patris Shrine.

Fr Simon spoke profoundly on Mary’s “fiat” response to the sorrows in her life. It was also the date of Fr Kentenich’s death in 1968 and Fr Simon reminded us of Fr Kentenich’s mother’s dedication of him to our Blessed Mother at the age of 9 years in the orphanage. This was her great sorrow and the blessings her trust in our MTA has brought about and the value of our Shrines throughout the world.

Fr Donnelly’s family has been associated with Schoenstatt since before his birth and he remarked how good it was to be home in the Shrine. At the end of Holy Mass we renewed our consecration prayer together.

Blessing  - Photo: Tish HoldingFather generously gave his individual blessing to those who attended and we received his ordination card, an MTA picture with the wording: ‘And Mary said “Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)’

The evening concluded with a lovely tea and with gifts presented to our new priest together with thanks expressed especially to Fr Simon’s parents.”

Mass on 25 September 2009 at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Constantia Shrine

Jaqui Adriaanse was present at the Mass in Constantia: “Mass was concelebrated with Fr. Ivanhoe Allies, a Schoenstatt Father from South Africa working in Nigeria.

Fr. Simon started his Homily with these words: Praise be Jesus Christ, Praise for Ever. In his sermon Fr Simon made reference to The Annunciation, the news that Our Blessed Mother will bear Jesus Christ, her praise to God through the Magnificat and her ‘Yes’ to God.

Meeting with the Schoenstatt Family of JohannesburgHer ‘Yes’ with Love. Although Mary experienced joy, there were also the tears and sorrow when she saw her Son suffer many things and be killed and finally the comfort knowing Jesus had risen from the dead. With Mary, we at Schoenstatt rebuild the temple of the Lord. Mary is the helper of the Lord leading the people. Her home is our Shrine. Here she dwells. We visit and receive our graces from here to go out into the world and rebuild the Church spiritually of her Son and to pass it on.

Our mission as Schoenstatt members is to continue this rebuilding.”

Shere joy - Photo: Tina Sonderup Press Play Films SA cc

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2 Responses

  1. Kerry MacNamara says:

    Congratulations to Fr. Simon Donnelly on his ordination! I am certain he will serve the Church well and will be a great benefit to all of those parishioners who are fortunate enough to to call Fr. Simon their priest. I wish him my heartfelt best.

  2. Colleen Kelly says:

    I was at the ordination, and it was a truly wonderful day. All of God’s richest blessings on Fr Simon in his priestly duties.

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