Dianella Brother Vern Scanlan and his wife Helene and Brother Lou Daily were privileged to have been invited to attend St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth on Friday the 23rd of May 2025 for the Ordination to the Priesthood of three Deacons, Marco Ferraioli, Jupiter Bin Justin and Gionata Pagani from the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Morley.

The invitation was extended by the Rector of the Seminary, Father Michael Moore who was a special guest at the Dianella Circle meeting/dinner in April. Dianella’s connection to the Seminary was reinforced earlier this year when the Circle sponsored grants made by the Province 20 Youth Support Project (YSP) to assist five young Redemptoris Seminarians on their 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome. In addition to these grants, another six older seminarians not qualifying for YSP grants were subsidised by a generous donation from a Dianella Brother. Further details about both of these Catenian initiatives can be read in the proceeding few pages of this Western Link edition.

St Mary’s Cathedral was packed to capacity with the seminarians, family members, friends, guests and a large number of Priests for this very special occasion; a blessed event enhanced by The St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and other support musicians from the Neo Catechumenal community. The Celebrant, auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton VG and concelebrants were supported by Priests and Altar servers provided by Seminarians from Redemptoris Mater and St Charles.

The important Rites of Ordinations commenced with the presentation of the candidates by Father Michael Moore followed by the Promise of the elected candidates, the Litany of the Saints and the Laying of Hands by the Bishop and all the Priests. With the elected candidates kneeling before the Bishop, the Prayer of Ordination followed, rich in biblical allusions to the Priesthood. The ceremony concluded with the investiture with Stole and Chasuble, Anointing of the Hands, handing over of the Bread and Wine and then the Kiss Of Peace which required the new Priests being welcome into the Presbyterate by the assembled Bishop and Priests.

The Mass continued with songs and hymns echoing through the Cathedral giving joy and pleasure to the whole congregation. Communion was distributed by numerous Priests, Concluding Rites and solemn blessing followed by Dismissal and the Recessional Hymn.

It was clearly a blessed experience for everyone in attendance, celebrating their Catholic faith and the joy of welcoming three new young Priests into the community.

For the record, the first Mass celebrated by Father Marco Ferraioli was at 9.30 am on Sunday the 25th of May at St Columbia’s Parish in Bayswater, Father Jupiter Bin Justin celebrated Mass at the same time and day at Mother Teresa Parish in Baldivis and Father Gionata Pagani at 9.00 am at St Kierian’s Parish in Tuart Hill.