On Sunday last, 23 November the Solemnity of Christ the King at the Church of the Real Presence in Cork city, Bishop John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross, ordained Reverend Marius O’Reilly to the priesthood. It was the second ordination for the Diocese this year (Father Ben Hodnett was ordained a priest for Cork and Ross last June).
At the end of the ordination ceremony Bishop Buckley paid tribute to Father Marius, and acknowledged the love, support and strong faith which his family fostered throughout his life.
Bishop Buckley was joined by Bishop Christopher Jones, Bishop Emeritus of Elphin and a friend of the O’Reilly family and Archbishop Patrick Coveney, a retired Apostolic Nuncio who is from the diocese.
Father Marius O’Reilly is a native of Bishopstown, Cork, and was a pupil of both Scoil and Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh. As an undergraduate Marius attended University College Cork for four years and was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Following graduation Marius attended University College, Dublin, where he studied for an MSc in Marketing in the Smurfit Business School. Marius then worked in London, as a Business Consultant in the Information Technology and Mobile sector for a number of years, before discerning his call to the priesthood.When asked about his ordination on Sunday, Father Marius said “The sense of peace, joy and fulfilment I feel is only understood by the Lord’s own words ‘the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.”
The homily at the Ordination was preached by Father Tom Deenihan, the Diocesan Secretary. Father Deenihan spoke about the Joy of the Gospel, the necessity for Gospel Joy in the priest and how the priesthood had to reflect the joy and values of Christ the King and the Kingdom.
- Photographs from the ordination are available for media from the Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth 00353 (1) 505 3017.
