Throughout the dioceses of England and Wales during 2009 some 125 priests will be celebrating jubilee anniversaries of ordination to the priesthood.

17Diamond anniversaries (sixty years)

59Golden anniversaries (fifty years)

62Ruby anniversaries (forty years)

These include six bishops.  (Bishop Leo McCartie celebrating 60 Years;  Bishops Edwin Regan, Thomas McMahon, Philip Pargeter  celebrating  50 years, Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Bishop William Kenney celebrating 40 years).   Archbishop Patrick Kelly is also celebrating 25 years as bishop.

To celebrate, the Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, Mgr Nicholas Hudson has invited these jubilarians to join the college for a “celebration of priesthood” between Monday 2nd November and Friday 6th November. During this time ythe priests will be guests of the College and stay at the Villa Palazzola, the Country Villa of the English College.

The short break will include a general audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and solemn Mass in the recently restored College Chapel of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, presided over by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, followed by a reception and a festal banquet.

We hope that you will join with us in congratulating and thanking these priests for their nearly eight thousand combined years of service and in offering our continued support and prayers as they carry out their important ministries.