A moment in prayer brought back memories of my ordination on the Feast of the Precious Blood — and the bond that has endured ever since.
Bond of Priesthood, Bond of People
A reflection on the Feast of the Precious Blood
The mystery that sealed my priesthood and bound me to God’s people in grace and affection.
Deacon Peter Fitzgibbon was ordained Priest on the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ — the 1st of July 1965 — in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Waiwhetu. The Feast of the Precious Blood is now included with Corpus Christi as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Recently, while praying through the Missal, I found a Votive Mass of the Most Precious Blood. The texts were remarkably reminiscent of the Mass of my ordination.
Entrance Antiphon You have redeemed us, Lord, by your Blood, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us into a kingdom of our God. Cf. Rev 5:9–10
Collect O God, who by the Precious Blood of your Only Begotten Son have redeemed the whole world, preserve in us the work of your mercy, so that, ever honouring the mystery of our salvation, we may merit to obtain its fruits. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son… Amen.
[Please note: There is no record in my possession of that day — no leaflet, no photograph — only my memory.]
I remember first of all reading the Gospel, holding on to the lectern so tightly. In those days, whenever I did the readings, I would be so nervous that I could hardly feel my legs. Soon afterwards, however, the ordination sacrament began. Others, especially Archbishop Peter McKeefry, were so kind, so full of care, and so intent on helping me to belong, and simply be there.
The most special moment remains vivid: I can still see myself kneeling with hands open before the archbishop. He was anointing each and every part of those two hands of mine. He seemed very satisfied that he had yet another new priest. I later reflected that Archbishop McKeefry — on his own behalf and on behalf of his successors — was taking more than a mere moment. He was sealing a bond between the two of us, establishing that I would always be a priest of the Archdiocese of Wellington. I felt he was truly “rubbing it in” — with affection and with love.
Afterwards, in the Hall, I was met by an air of excitement, joy, and happiness. It was as if I was still being ordained, now by the people. I later reflected that this too was an exercise in bonding, meant to last a lifetime. For an hour or so, the people also “rubbed it in”. What was being impressed upon me? Something like this: “We hope from you the same sort of pure affection and love that we have felt from those who have served us since the days of yore.”
The journey with the people in the parishes with whom I have shared the years of being one of their priests — for all of this I offered special thanksgiving this 1st of July 2026.
To conclude, I have received a comment on a recent Facebook post from Sister Barbara Henley: “A few more miles to go before you sleep!! … Blessings!” Thank you for your blessing, Sister Barbara. And hopefully, in the words of the Collect above, “that, ever honouring the mystery of our salvation, we may all merit to obtain its fruits.”
