Fr Jonathan Flood with his parents Angela and Paul, brother Paul and sister Angela and Bishop Philip Boyce. Photo: Donna McBride
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
YESTERDAY afternoon 25-year-old Reverend Jonathan Flood was ordained into the priesthood at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.
In his homily yesterday Most Rev. Philip Boyce, Bishop of Raphoe, wished newly-ordained Father Flood ‘many happy and fruitful years as a priest of Christ in our Diocese’.
“May Our Lady, Mother of Priests and Woman of unsurpassed faith, guide your steps. May she awaken your amazement at the gift of the Eucharist, which is the Mystery of faith, and help you to do whatever her divine Son asks of you.
“And as you leave the rank of Seminarians of our Diocese, pray on this day that the Lord may send other young men to take your place among those who answer the Lord’s call: ‘Follow me’,” Bishop Boyce said.
“After seven years of study, training, formation and preparation, you are now ready and about to be sent out with the Master on the roads of evangelisation and redemption.
“But, as in the Gospel passage of the day, with the three men who wished to follow Jesus, in a few moments you will be asked a question, indeed four times: ‘Are you resolved?’
“Yes, resolved and determined, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to carry out your priestly duties faithfully; to celebrate the mysteries and sacraments for God’s glory, not your own; to preach the Gospel and explain the faith; to dedicate your life unreservedly to Christ who is both Priest and Sacrifice. And you will answer, ‘I am’. “I am resolved, with God’s help.”
A native of Ballintra, Fr Flood is the son of Angela and Paul Flood and older brother to Shane (16) and Pauline (23). His primary education was at Creevy National School before studying for his Leaving Certificate at Coláiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon.
He then went to St Patrick’s College Maynooth for four years, where he obtained a BA in Philosophy and History at NUIM.
It was then there that he began his Theology degree, and after one year went to study in Rome at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.
He spent three years there and earned my baccalaureate in Divinity. Over the past year, he has been studying at the National University of Ireland, where he completed the Professional Diploma in Education for secondary teaching.
Earlier in the week, the newly ordained priest spoke to the Donegal News spoke of his ‘calling’.
“Throughout the eight years of my formation, however, I have met many inspirational people who have inspired me to strive more definitely towards Holiness of life.
“Just a few weeks ago, I had the joy of meeting a Sister of Mother Teresa’s community, The Missionaries of Charity, here in the Parochial house, and I’ve never experienced such joy and love emanating from a person before. Loving Jesus wholeheartedly gives a joy that nothing in this world can fulfil,” said Fr Flood.
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