Ordination in Maghera for diocese of Derry

The diocese of Derry will today ordain one of the country's youngest priests when Patrick Lagan is ordained to the priesthood.

Speaking ahead of his ordination in Saint Patrick's Church in Maghera today at 3:00pm Patrick Lagan said that he was very much looking forward to opening a new chapter in his life. 

For the past few months he has been based in the Waterside parish in Derry City where he has been working with parish priest Fr Michael Canny. 

Speaking of this experience he said, “I couldn't have asked for a better mentor than Fr Canny.  Before that I was based in Limavady with Monsignor Bryan McCanny who I also learned a great deal from.  Both men are very experienced priests and as such I've been very lucky.  They have both been extremely kind and very encouraging.”

Speaking about his ordination he said, “I’m excited, a little nervous but really looking forward to it.” 

Lagan also pointed out that he had to overcome a serious speech impediment in order to achieve his goal. 

“Growing up, I had a pretty bad stammer, particularly during my teenage years.  Sometimes I thought to myself, how can you ever hope to be a priest when you have a speech impediment.  However, I never lost faith and when I took part in the McGuire programme, a specialist project which aims to help you control your stammering, it changed my life and I have never looked back since.”

Welcoming Patrick to the priesthood, Derry's diocesan administrator, Monsignor Eamon Martin, said he is, “delighted to welcome Patrick as a brother priest into the diocese of Derry.  I am also so pleased to be able to share this joy in a special way with the people of County Derry.  I would encourage all the faithful in the diocese to pray for vocations that the Lord will send more labourers into his harvest.”

Fr Lagan will be ordained to the priesthood this Sunday afternoon by the retired Auxiliary Bishop of Derry, Bishop Francis Lagan at Saint Patrick's Church, Glen, Maghera at 3:00pm. 

by Sean Ryan