Heartfelt congratulations and prayerful support are extended to recently ordained FMI priest from Dominica, Fr Cornelius Phillip, our dearest friend and brother in Christ who worshipped and served in the parishes of St John the Baptist in San Juan and the Church of the Holy Family in Mt Lambert, while pursuing his degree in Theology at the Regional Seminary and at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.

On Sunday, January 22, Fr Cornelius Philip was ordained at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Roseau , Dominica . The ceremony was a very solemn, moving and beautiful one as the congregation participated in the melodious singing with the combined choir and listened attentively to Bishop Gabriel Malzaire who had the joy of ordaining his first priest since his appointment as bishop of Dominica.

Present at the packed cathedral were supporters from all walks of life. The young and young at heart, came out in their numbers to witness the ordination of another son of the soil. Family members, friends, government dignitaries, and over thirty priests from the FMI, and other religious orders in Dominica and the neighbouring Caribbean islands turned out for this special event.

The visiting Trinidad and Tobago delegation comprised Fr Henri Brenon, FMI, Brother Jason Grell, FMI from Dominica , and choir members as well as parishioners from St John the Baptist Church , San Juan , Church of the Holy Family in Mt Lambert and St John the Evangelist in Diego Martin.

In his homily, Bishop Malzaire's urged Fr Phillip to continue growing in love with Jesus and the Eucharist, to celebrate Mass every day and never to tire of serving God. He encouraged the new priest to remember his humble beginnings, adding that as a man of prayer, he should remain authentic in what he says and does.

The Bishop also stated that the priesthood was essentially Eucharistic, that without the priest there is no Eucharist, without the Eucharist, there is no priesthood and without either, there is no Church. Finally, he explained that Fr Phillip was chosen by Jesus to share in his ministry.

L-R: Fr Herman Sharplis, Fr Cornelius Phillip and Fr Vincent Espirit at the celebration of Fr Phillip's first Mass.

At the end of Mass, Fr Phillip addressed the congregation thanking them for their support. Special mention was made of his deceased grandparents, parents, siblings, family friends and fellow priests in Dominica and the wider Caribbean.

In particular, he recognised Frs Henri Brenon and Christian Pineau for encouraging his spiritual formation. All these people guided him and played a critical role in his becoming a priest, he said. In his address, he committed himself to faithfully serving God and the Church.

On Monday, Jan 23, Fr Phillip celebrated his first Mass in the community of Grand Fond where he was born and grew up. Once again, the church was jam-packed with community members, priests and visitors from near and far.

Frs Vincent Esprit and Herman Sharplis (the last two priests ordained in Dominica in 1999) concelebrated the Mass with him. In his homily, Fr Herman endorsed what Bishop Malzaire had said at the ordination Mass and urged and encouraged all to support Fr Phillip in his vocation as priest, praying for him unceasingly.

The entire congregation was very attentive and became even more alive when Fr Herman smoothly slipped into patois, the local language. The choir also played their part, singing hymns in both languages as well. At the end of the Mass, Fr Cornelius again thanked his parishioners for their prayers and support.

After the Mass, there was a real country-style reception at the nearby community centre where champagne, wine and local dishes were served.

The island of Dominica is blessed indeed to now have among them a young energetic and dynamic spiritual and pastoral shepherd in Fr Cornelius.

It is hoped that his priestly ordination would spark new vocations, renew family life and build a community that is generous, forgiving and Christ–centered.