Stephen is a seminarian at St Patrick’s College Maynooth, where he has completed his studies for the Priesthood in the diocese.
The ordination Mass was celebrated in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan yesterday afternoon.
Stephen began to discern his vocation in 2014 as he prepared for his Leaving Cert exams.
After prayer and consultation with the diocesan vocation’s director, he realised that he may be called to the priesthood. However, needing to take time in discerning this call, he decided to study English and History at the University of Limerick.
After graduating in 2018, and following further consultation with the diocese, Stephen made the first step in the formation process, entering the preliminary seminary year at the Royal English College in Valladolid, Spain.
Following the successful completion of that year, Stephen joined the seminary in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in September 2019, beginning the study of philosophy in first year.
During his time in seminary, Stephen had the opportunity for many pastoral placements, including in the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, Clongowes Wood College and an extended placement year in the diocese where he served in the parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace.
