Incense filled the small but dignified chapel of St Charles Seminary in Guildford on the evening of September 17 as the families and friends of five seminarians witnessed their admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
Renald Anthony, Grant Gorddard, Stephen Gorddard, CJ Millen and Simeon San moved another step closer towards ordination, a journey which will lead to ordination to the Diaconate and eventually, the priesthood.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB was the principal celebrant for the occasion, with seminary rector Mgr Kevin Long and Frs John Jegorow, Joseph Cardoso, and Fr Frank Birrell.
As part of the rite, Archbishop Costelloe publicly enquired into the suitability of each of the men, just as bishops have been doing since the earliest days of the Church, before Mgr Long affirmed their worthiness and suitability.
After the Mass and the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, the congregation repaired to the seminary’s dining room with Archbishop Costelloe joining the five newly accepted men at table for dinner.