The Diocese of Roseau has announced that Darril Thomas, a seminarian of the Catholic Church in Dominica, will be ordained to the priesthood in a public ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2025, at the Cathedral Chapel in Roseau.
The ordination will be presided over by His Lordship Bishop Kendrick J. Forbes, who has expressed his joy at welcoming a new priest to serve the faithful across the Diocese. The ordination marks a significant moment for both the Church and the local Catholic community, as vocations to the priesthood remain a cherished yet rare occurrence.
Thomas, who has completed his theological formation and pastoral training, is known for his humility, devotion, and passion for youth ministry. He has served in several parishes during his formation period, including Mahaut and Portsmouth, where parishioners have praised his openness, compassion, and dedication to service.
In a brief message shared with the Catholic community, Bishop Forbes invited the public to attend and witness the sacred rite. “This is a moment of great celebration and spiritual renewal for our Diocese,” he stated. “We thank God for this vocation and ask that the faithful continue to support our seminarians through prayer and encouragement.”
The ordination ceremony will include the traditional rites of presentation, litany of the saints, laying on of hands, and the prayer of consecration, followed by the investiture of priestly vestments. It will be broadcast live on Diocese media channels, allowing Catholics across the island to take part in the occasion.
The Diocese has also indicated that Fr. Darril Thomas’s first Mass as a newly ordained priest will be held on Sunday, June 16, in his home parish of Vieille Case, where a large turnout of parishioners, family, and friends is expected.
The ordination is a sign of hope for the future of the Church in Dominica. The Diocese continues to encourage young men to consider vocations in ministry, especially as the Church seeks to respond to the spiritual needs of a rapidly changing society.
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